A 67-year-old pastor, Bolaji Olukotun, has died after an incident during a disputed eviction from his residence at Admiralty Homes Estate in Lekki, Lagos, with his family alleging he was assaulted and forcefully removed from the property.
The incident reportedly occurred on July 11, while Olukotun died the following day after being taken to a private hospital.
According to his lawyer, Akpobome Deniran, the dispute arose from a rent-to-own arrangement between the deceased and his landlord. He said the pastor was unable to meet the financial terms for purchasing the apartment after his tenancy expired, prompting the landlord to seek possession of the property.
Deniran said he received a distress call from the pastor on the afternoon of July 11.
“He was in obvious distress and pleaded with me to come immediately, saying, ‘I’m dying, please come to the house,'” the lawyer said.
He alleged that on arriving at the residence, he found Olukotun lying on the ground while his household belongings had been moved outside.
The lawyer claimed more than seven suspected thugs, a mobile police officer, an estate agent identified as Blessing Idonor and a prospective buyer were present at the scene.
According to him, the pastor was vomiting, groaning in pain and struggling to speak, while those present allegedly denied assaulting him and claimed he had taken an unknown substance.
Deniran maintained that the eviction was carried out without a court order or warrant of execution, describing it as unlawful.
He also alleged that the police officer threatened him at gunpoint after he attempted to photograph the scene and warned him against documenting the incident.
The lawyer said flooding delayed efforts to evacuate the victim before he was eventually taken to Udeko Medical Centre, where he later died despite receiving treatment.
Olukotun’s son, Ayodeji, also alleged that his father was forcefully evicted by individuals accompanied by a police officer and suspected thugs.
He questioned claims that his father voluntarily packed his belongings, insisting the family wanted a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
“We expected the police to question everyone who was there, but after making the report, we heard nothing,” he said.
However, the landlord’s solicitor, Caleb Onwe, denied that the deceased was forcefully evicted or assaulted.
“Nobody was evicted,” Onwe said, adding that officials visited the property after the tenant reportedly indicated he was leaving.
He claimed they found the pastor already packing his belongings and in a weak condition, alleging that the deceased admitted taking an unknown substance before they arrived.
According to Onwe, those present contacted the pastor’s lawyer and helped arrange his evacuation to hospital because flooding prevented vehicles from accessing the estate.
He dismissed allegations linking the landlord or those present to the pastor’s death, insisting such claims must be proven.
The Lagos State Police Command said it could not officially comment on the matter.
Police spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi said the complainant failed to return after making the initial report.
The circumstances surrounding Olukotun’s death remain disputed, with his family alleging he died following an unlawful eviction, while the landlord’s representatives insist no force was used and deny any wrongdoing.
