Lekki Rent Dispute Turns Fatal as 67-Year-Old Pastor Dies After Alleged Forceful Eviction

Lekki Rent Dispute Turns Fatal as 67-Year-Old Pastor Dies After Alleged Forceful Eviction

A 67-year-old tenant, Pastor Bolaji Olukotun, has died following an alleged confrontation and forceful ejection from his apartment at Admiralty Homes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday, July 11, was confirmed by the pastor’s lawyer, Barrister Akpobome Deniran, and the deceased’s son, Ayodeji Olukotun. The pastor reportedly died in the early hours of Sunday at a private hospital in Lekki.

According to Deniran, the trouble began over an unresolved rent-to-own agreement between Pastor Bolaji and the property owner. The pastor had rented the apartment with an understanding that he could purchase it when his lease ended. But when the landlord put the property up for sale, he was unable to meet the asking price.

Deniran said he received a distress call from his client around 2pm on July 11.

“His voice was weak and he kept saying, ‘I’m dying, please come to the house, I’m dying,’” the lawyer recounted.

On getting to House B11 in the estate, Deniran said he met the pastor on the ground outside the building. Furniture, clothes and documents were already outside, suggesting a forceful removal.

He alleged that more than seven men, an estate agent identified as Blessing Idonor, a prospective buyer called Mr Smith, and an armed mobile police officer were at the scene.

Deniran claimed the pastor was vomiting and in severe pain. He said the buyer insisted the eviction was lawful because he had bought the property, while the agent allegedly said the owner was monitoring the situation via CCTV.

The lawyer said the men at the scene denied assaulting the pastor and instead claimed he had taken something and was “pretending.” He added that when he tried to take pictures, the police officer allegedly threatened him and searched his phone.

Deniran said he involved the estate’s head of security, Angela, who told him the owner had authorized access. He later got help from a water truck driver to move the pastor out due to flooding, and took him to Udeko Medical Centre in Chevron.

Later that evening, he reported the matter at Ilasan Police Station. Hours after, he said, the pastor’s son called to say his father had been placed on oxygen, before doctors confirmed he died.

“My client died as a direct result of an unlawful and brutal eviction. No court order was obtained. No legal process was followed,” Deniran alleged.

Ayodeji, the deceased’s son, also faulted the version that his father packed his things voluntarily.

“The way his property was outside showed it was a forceful eviction. About seven people, a police officer, agents and the new buyer entered the estate. If he was that sick, how did he open the door for them?” he asked.

He said the family reported to police and expects those present to be questioned.

The landlord’s solicitor, Caleb Onwe, however denied that any eviction took place.

“Nobody was evicted,” he told our correspondent. He said he was also not aware of the tenant’s death.

Onwe explained that officials, an estate agent and a buyer went to inspect the property after the tenancy expired. He claimed they met the pastor already packing and looking weak.

“He said he was tired of fighting and that he took something he bought from Jakande,” Onwe alleged, adding that they called his lawyer and arranged for him to be taken to hospital despite the flood.

He dismissed claims of assault and said anyone making allegations must prove them.

When contacted, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said she could not comment officially because the complainant had not returned after the initial report.

As of press time, efforts to reach the landlord, Chikeluba Francis, were unsuccessful.

The circumstances around Pastor Olukotun’s death remain contested. While the family and lawyer allege it followed a violent eviction, the landlord’s legal team insists no assault occurred and that the pastor was already ill when they arrived.