Olojo Kosoko Ruling House alleges police intimidation amid Lagos chieftaincy dispute

The Olojo Kosoko Ruling House of Lagos State has accused unnamed individuals of using police officers to intimidate members of the family and impose what it described as an unlawful siege on the Oloja of Lagos Palace, despite a subsisting court order directing all parties to maintain the status quo.

The allegations were contained in a statement jointly signed by the head of the ruling house, Prince Surajudeen Abiodun Olojo-Kosoko, and its secretary, Prince Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko.

The family alleged that the actions were being carried out at the instance of certain influential individuals in disregard of a judgment delivered by the Lagos State High Court on July 7, 2026.

According to the ruling house, Justice Oresanya ordered all parties involved in the chieftaincy dispute over the Oloja of Lagos stool to preserve the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Despite the court’s directive, the family claimed that police officers had been stationed at the palace, where they were allegedly preventing family members and authorised visitors from entering the premises while providing protection for individuals it described as suspected thugs.

The statement further alleged that Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, identified by the family as the Oloja of Lagos-elect, alongside other members of the ruling house, had received police invitation letters allegedly initiated by the same persons behind the disputed actions.

“The palace is currently under siege, and this direct violation of a court order is a recipe for a breakdown of law and order on Lagos Island,” Prince Surajudeen said.

He appealed to the Nigeria Police Force not to allow itself to be drawn into a civil chieftaincy dispute that is already before a competent court.

The ruling house maintained that the alleged actions amount to contempt of court, abuse of police authority and an infringement on the constitutional rights of its members.

It called on the Lagos State Police Command to withdraw officers from the palace, investigate the circumstances surrounding the invitation letters issued to family members, disregard what it described as false petitions and remain impartial while the matter is being determined by the court.

According to the statement, certified true copies of the court order and other relevant documents have already been forwarded to the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State.

The family added that the Inspector-General of Police, the Lagos State Attorney-General, the Registrar of the Lagos State High Court, the Oba of Lagos and the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor had also been formally notified of the development.

It urged the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to intervene without delay to ensure compliance with the court order, uphold the rule of law and prevent any breakdown of peace on Lagos Island.