Lagos Journalist: Police Petitioned Over N570,000 Tenancy Dispute

• Nigerian Tribune journalist Francis Iwuchukwu has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force over a N570,000 tenancy dispute in Lagos.
• He alleges estate agent Bolaji Ojo, operating as Ojo’s Properties, failed to provide a promised apartment and refund the sum paid.
• The N570,000 payment, covering rent and various fees, was made to an account later discovered to belong to Ojo’s wife.
• After moving some belongings and making improvements, Iwuchukwu found his apartment locked, leading to his demand for a refund.
• Bolaji Ojo signed undertakings at two police stations on June 8, 2026, promising a refund, but has reportedly failed to honor them and is now unreachable.

This case highlights the practical difficulties and risks associated with informal tenancy agreements and the enforcement of undertakings made at police stations in civil disputes.

Francis Iwuchukwu, a Chief Correspondent with the Nigerian Tribune, has formally petitioned the Nigeria Police Force regarding a significant N570,000 Lagos tenancy dispute. The journalist alleges that an estate agent, Bolaji Ojo, operating under the name Ojo’s Properties (Land and Property Consultancy), failed to deliver on a rental agreement for an apartment in Adamo, Ikorodu, Lagos State, and subsequently refused to issue a tenancy refund.

The complaint, lodged with both the Imota and Araro Police Divisions on June 8, 2026, details a series of events that began with initial phone discussions on April 1, 2026. Iwuchukwu met Ojo in person two days later, on April 3, to finalize the arrangement for a room-and-parlor self-contained apartment. This case highlights the practical difficulties and risks associated with informal tenancy agreements and the enforcement of undertakings made at police stations in civil disputes.

On April 3, 2026, Iwuchukwu transferred N570,000 from his First Bank account to an Access Bank account belonging to Temitope Adebayo, an individual he later discovered to be Bolaji Ojo’s wife. This substantial payment covered N400,000 for rent, N50,000 for an agreement fee, N50,000 as commission, a N50,000 damages deposit, a N15,000 security/CDA fee, and a N5,000 cleaner’s fee. Prior to this transaction, Ojo had informed Iwuchukwu that the apartment's electrical wiring was incomplete but assured him it would be finished by the end of April. The agent also stated that while each unit had a prepaid electricity meter, the journalist's specific meter was yet to be installed.

Following the payment, an oral agreement was reached for Iwuchukwu to take possession and commence preparatory work. He subsequently paid an additional N5,000 consultancy fee to Ojo’s OPay account on April 23. On April 27, Ojo accompanied Iwuchukwu to the property, providing keys to both the apartment and the main gate, and promised that the tenancy agreement would be sent to the property owner for approval, with a rent receipt to follow. Iwuchukwu moved some belongings into the apartment on May 6, after informing the agent, and installed a solar power system on May 7, anticipating the installation of the promised prepaid electricity meter. However, the arrangement deteriorated on May 24 when Iwuchukwu discovered a large padlock securing the gate to his apartment, forcing him to halt further improvements. When confronted, the estate agent dispute saw Bolaji Ojo initially deny knowledge before attributing the action to an electricity supply disagreement.

Following the discovery of the locked apartment and the breakdown of communication, Francis Iwuchukwu demanded a full tenancy refund, encompassing the initial N570,000 and all subsequent payments. In response, Bolaji Ojo signed an undertaking at the Imota Police Station on June 8, 2026, committing to refund the disputed sum. However, this commitment was reportedly not honored. On the same day, the agent made a similar promise at the Araro Police Station, which also remains unfulfilled.

The Nigeria Police Force has been actively involved in mediating the Ikorodu property dispute undertaking, but as of the latest reports, Bolaji Ojo’s whereabouts are unknown, and he has ceased responding to calls from the police. This situation leaves the Lagos journalist N570,000 tenancy dispute unresolved and highlights the difficulties in enforcing agreements made under police mediation when parties fail to comply.

This particular Francis Iwuchukwu estate agent dispute serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in informal property dealings in Nigeria. The reliance on oral agreements, payments to third-party accounts, and unfulfilled promises by an agent like Bolaji Ojo, operating as Ojo’s Properties, underscores the critical importance of formal, legally binding contracts. Without clear contractual terms and proper documentation, tenants face significant challenges in seeking recourse when disputes arise.

The case also illustrates the limitations of police intervention in what are fundamentally civil matters. While police stations often facilitate undertakings to resolve disputes, their enforcement power in such scenarios can be limited, especially when a party becomes evasive. This incident emphasizes the need for thorough due diligence when engaging estate agents in Nigeria to mitigate fraud and ensure clear legal avenues for resolution, protecting individuals from financial losses in property transactions.

This case highlights the practical difficulties and risks associated with informal tenancy agreements and the enforcement of undertakings made at police stations in civil disputes. Lawyers should advise clients on the critical importance of formal, legally binding contracts and thorough due diligence when engaging estate agents in Nigeria to mitigate fraud and ensure clear recourse.

Source: Original reporting via The PUNCH