International Nigerian professional footballer, Ofoedu Francis Chikeluba, is at the centre of a growing controversy following allegations that a violent and unlawful eviction from his Lekki property culminated in the death of his tenant, Pastor Bolaji Olukotun (67 years old) , with the deceased’s family accusing officers of the Ilasan Police Division of attempting to frustrate a proper criminal investigation through alleged collusion with the Admiralty Estate Head of Security.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, 11 July 2026, at House B11, Admiralty Homes Estate, off Alpha Beach Road, Lekki, Lagos, has sparked calls for an independent investigation into what the family describes as an unlawful self-help eviction that ended in tragedy.
THE BACKGROUND
Akpobome Deniran, counsel to the late Pastor Bolaji Olukotun, spoke with Lawhauz Correspondent, recounting the events that allegedly led to his client’s death. Following further inquiries by Lawhauz, the lawyer supplied additional documents, eyewitness accounts and other materials detailing the events before, during and after the eviction.
According to the documents made available to Lawhauz, Pastor Bolaji had entered into a tenancy agreement with Mr. Chikeluba in February 2025 for the occupation of the luxury five-bedroom duplex. The parties had reportedly discussed a rent-to-own arrangement under which the tenant hoped to eventually purchase the property.
Although the tenancy later became the subject of disagreements after negotiations for renewal and purchase broke down, the documents indicate that while statutory notices to recover possession had been served, there was no court order authorising a physical eviction before the events of 11 July 2026.
Under Nigerian law, a landlord is generally prohibited from recovering possession of premises through self-help without first obtaining the appropriate order of court. The Recovery of Premises Law of Lagos State 2015 expressly outlaws self-help evictions, mandating that recovery of premises must be carried out solely through legal channels.
THE EVICTION
One eyewitness who lives at the boys quarters, Oluwapelumi, recalled hearing aggressive knocks on her door before opening it to find armed thugs demanding that she come outside because real “the owner” wanted to see her. Outside, she allegedly found Pastor Bolaji surrounded by armed men, with his belongings already packed outside the house.
According to the eyewitness, the group informed the occupants that Pastor Bolaji was a “fake landlord” and ordered everyone to vacate the premises immediately.
Moments later, the situation allegedly deteriorated dramatically. The witness stated that Pastor Bolaji collapsed in severe pain while members of the group accused him of taking an unknown substance. She further alleged that some of the thugs dragged him out, plunged his body into the muddy floodwater outside, and threw him back into the premises, leaving him groaning in pain.
Neighbours eventually intervened after those involved had left the premises. They administered first aid, secured transportation and rushed Pastor Bolaji to Udeco Medical Center, Chevron, Lekki. By the early hours of Sunday, 12 July 2026, he was dead.
The family maintains that Pastor Bolaji’s death followed the alleged use of force during an unlawful eviction and has called for a full forensic investigation, including a post-mortem examination, toxicology tests and preservation of all physical and electronic evidence.
THE ROLE OF THE ESTATE HEAD OF SECURITY
The documents also allege that the Head of Security of Admiralty Homes Estate, one Angela, granted those carrying out the eviction access to the estate without insisting on a court order or proof of ownership. She allegedly refused to intervene when Pastor Bolaji pleaded for help during the incident.
Two days after the incident, Angela reportedly returned to the premises and informed the occupants that she had instructions from “the owner” to lock up the premises and move all occupants out despite the fact that the investigation was ongoing and no court order had been obtained.
POLICE CONDUCT AND ALLEGED COLLUSION
The family’s allegations extend to the Ilasan Police Division. According to the documents:
Officers repeatedly dismissed the matter as a “landlord-and-tenant dispute” despite the presence of armed thugs and a Mobile Police Officer at the scene.
After Pastor Bolaji’s death, officers allegedly failed to secure the scene upon visiting it, preserve evidence, arrest identified suspects or promptly transfer the matter to a specialised investigative unit.
Officers allegedly attempted to characterise the death as “suicide” despite objections from witnesses and counsel. The family has pointed out that the only suggestion of suicide came from the assailants themselves, who mocked the Deceased and claimed he was “acting drama.”
Officers allegedly employed a “no body, no case” excuse, claiming they could not act without seeing the Deceased’s corpse or obtaining a death certificate; a position the family describes as legally untenable and a deliberate stall tactic.
An officer of Ilasan Police Division disclosed during the visit to the Estate a day after the incident that Angela, the Estate Head of Security, is his “wife”—a term used informally to describe a close personal relationship, as Heads of Security in Estates around the vicinity typically maintain working relationships with the Ilasan Division, Angel was known by the officers. The family contends that this relationship constitutes a conflict of interest and suggests potential collusion between the investigating officers and a key suspect in the case.
THE FCID PETITION AND DELAY IN APPROVAL
Lawhauz understands that a petition has since been submitted to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, requesting an independent investigation, the arrest of all persons allegedly involved, forensic examination of available evidence and an investigation into the conduct of officers who initially handled the case.
However, the family has expressed deep concern that the petition is still awaiting approval; a delay they describe as inexplicable given the urgency of the matter. The family notes that:
The suspects remain at large and continue to move freely within the Estate;
Blessing Idono and Ibrahim Mark, the estate agents, have been seen continuing their activities in the Estate;
Evidence, including CCTV footage or the compound and the estate and the substance allegedly ingested by the Deceased, is at risk of being destroyed or tampered with;
Witnesses are being intimidated;
The Ilasan Division continues to push the “suicide” narrative; and
The Deceased’s family remains in agony, desperate for justice and closure.
THE PERPETRATORS
The family has identified the following individuals as being involved in the incident:
Ofoedu Francis Chikeluba — the previous landlord, who allegedly gave approval for the unlawful eviction and was reportedly watching the incident on CCTV;
Mr. Smith (Murphy) — the purported “new owner,” who orchestrated the unlawful eviction and has never presented any deed or evidence of purchase;
Blessing Idono — the estate agent who facilitated the sale and brought the “new owner” to the premises;
Ibrahim Mark — a fellow estate agent whose phone number appeared on the sale banner;
Over seven armed thugs — who carried out the physical eviction;
A Mobile Police Officer — who participated in the unlawful act; and
Angela — the Estate Head of Security, who granted access to the assailants and refused to intervene.
No arrests have been made.
THE FAMILY’S DEMANDS
The family has called for:
Immediate approval of the FCID petition and transfer of the case to the appropriate formation;
Arrest of all suspects;
Post-mortem examination of the Deceased to determine the exact cause of death;
Forensic analysis of the substance retrieved from the scene;
Seizure and preservation of all CCTV footage from the premises; and that the of the estate,
Investigation into the conduct of officers of Ilasan Police Division; and
Prosecution of all persons involved in this conspiracy.
LEGAL CONTEXT
Under the Recovery of Premises Law of Lagos State 2015, only a court bailiff, armed with a valid court order, can lawfully evict a tenant from a property. Self-help evictions are strictly prohibited and constitute a criminal offence under Sections 451 and 452 of the Criminal Code Act.
The Criminal Code Act also provides that death caused by an act done in the prosecution of an unlawful purpose, which act is of such a nature as to be likely to endanger human life, may amount to murder (Section 316) or manslaughter (Section 317), regardless of intent to hurt any person.
THE FOOTBALLER’S STATUS
Mr. Ofoedu Francis Chikeluba is a professional footballer who has played for several clubs across Europe, including in Turkey, Israel, and Japan. He is a Nigerian citizen by birth and has had a long career in professional football.
CONCLUSION
The allegations against Mr. Ofoedu Francis Chikeluba, estate officials and officers of the Ilasan Police Division have not been determined by any court, and no criminal charges have yet been announced. Lawhauz will continue to monitor developments and welcomes responses from all persons mentioned in this report.
The family of Pastor Bolaji Olukotun is seeking justice. The question remains: Will justice be done?
