A legal battle is unfolding within Lagos’ traditional and royal circles as Prince Abiola Olojo Kosoko, the Oloja-elect of Lagos, has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, and senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
The suit, now before the Federal High Court in Lagos, stems from a dispute over land ownership in the Ogombo area of Eti-Osa Local Government and succession to the Oloja of Lagos chieftaincy title, which Prince Kosoko says historically belongs to the Kosoko royal family.
In his affidavit, Prince Kosoko alleged that Oba Akiolu, leveraging his status as the paramount ruler of Lagos and his background as a retired senior police officer, influenced law enforcement agencies to intimidate and harass his family through repeated police interventions.
The suit lists as respondents: the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, Deputy Commissioner of Police Bello Muhammed, CSP Mariam Ogunmolasuyi, Inspector Ebere, HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu (Oba of Lagos), and Olumegbon Ajah Chieftaincy Family Property & Investments Ltd, linked to the Olumegbon royal family.
According to Kosoko, police officers allegedly acting on the influence of the monarch arrested workers on Kosoko family land at Ogombo, detained them in poor conditions, and filed criminal charges in what he insists is a civil dispute.
He pointed to a Lagos High Court ruling in Suit No. LD/12881LMW/2022, delivered on November 12, 2024, by Justice O.O. Ogunjobi, which he said recognised the Kosoko family’s ownership of 114.476 hectares of land in Ogombo. Despite the judgment, Kosoko alleged that the Oba of Lagos has not filed an appeal but instead continued to rely on police action to challenge their possession.
“Ownership of land is a purely civil matter and not criminal in nature. The 6th Respondent (Oba Akiolu) has the right to appeal the judgment of the High Court, which he has failed to do. Instead, he is using the Police and government agencies to intimidate me and collect my family land,” the affidavit reads in part.
Prince Kosoko further alleged that these actions are not only about seizing the disputed land but also about weakening his family’s claim to the Oloja of Lagos title. He recounted that his ancestor, King Kosoko, once held territorial authority across parts of Lagos, citing treaties from the mid-19th century as historical recognition of such claims.
In parts of the affidavit, Prince Kosoko alleged that Oba Akiolu made threats and boasted about his ability to use influence within the police hierarchy to relegate the Kosoko family and obstruct his succession to the Oloja of Lagos title.
Through his counsel, L.A. Alabi, B.A. Okoni, and A.O. Akinleye (Mrs), the Oloja-elect is asking the court for: “A declaration enforcing his fundamental rights, particularly against alleged harassment, intimidation, and unlawful arrest.
“An order restraining the police and the Oba of Lagos from further interference with his family’s land at Ogombo.
“Any additional reliefs the court may deem appropriate.
As of the time of filing this report, no response has been received from the Oba of Lagos or the Nigeria Police Force regarding the allegations. The case has not yet been assigned a hearing date.
