Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The family of Pastor Bolaji Olukotun, a tenant at House B11, Admiralty Homes Estate in the Lakowe area of Lekki, Lagos, has called for a comprehensive homicide investigation into his death following a violent eviction on July 11, 2026, which they allege was a carefully coordinated criminal enterprise involving multiple individuals. The family's legal representatives, Olotu Law Practice, filed a petition dated July 20, 2026, with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, urging the police to treat the matter as a homicide investigation from the outset. The petition describes a series of events culminating in the death of the 46-year-old pastor, and calls for the use of all available forensic, scientific, and investigative resources to determine the cause of death and identify anyone criminally liable.
According to the petition, Olukotun became a tenant in February 2025 under an agreement with Ofoedu Francis Chikeluba, which reportedly included an understanding about a future rent-to-own arrangement. Although disputes emerged later over rent payments and his continued occupancy, the family maintains that Olukotun lawfully held the premises, noting that there was no court order ending his tenancy, no warrant of possession, and no writ of execution authorising eviction. The petition states that on July 5, 2026, a man named Mr Murphy Smith, introduced by estate agent Blessing Idono as a potential buyer, visited the property to inspect it. The family alleges that Smith confronted Olukotun during that visit and threatened to return with armed men if he had not vacated by Friday, July 10, 2026.
The family claims that Smith returned on July 11 at about 2:00 p.m., accompanied by Idono, several armed individuals, and an unidentified mobile police officer in uniform carrying a service rifle. The petition contends that Idono provided access to the home, after which the group forced entry and violently evicted Olukotun without any court order. It further alleges that Olukotun was assaulted during the eviction, later complained of severe pain, and then deteriorated rapidly. The family says none of those present sought urgent medical help despite his worsening condition, and they also suggest that Olukotun's death could have been caused by the alleged assault or by exposure to a poisonous or harmful substance during the incident. "The facts giving rise to this petition reveal a meticulously coordinated course of conduct involving all the suspects, each of whom played distinct but complementary roles in the unlawful enterprise which ultimately culminated in the death of Pastor Olukotun," the petition reads.
In a statement to The Guardian, estate agent Blessing Idono denied the claims, saying, "The information is false. The police are already investigating the matter". The Lagos State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement confirming whether an investigation has been initiated or whether any arrests have been made. The death of Pastor Bolaji Olukotun has raised serious concerns about the use of violence in landlord-tenant disputes, particularly in high-value estates where the stakes for property ownership and control are significant. The family's petition has drawn attention to what they describe as a pattern of landlords employing armed thugs to carry out unlawful evictions with impunity, often with the collusion of corrupt officials. As the family awaits justice, the question remains whether the police will conduct a thorough investigation and bring those responsible to account.
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