Furore as Lagos landlord, two others go into hiding after six-month jail term for contempt

Mr Lawrence OnwukwemHon. Davies Ijele

Michael Olumide

Controversy has erupted following the disappearance of a Lagos landlord, Lawrence Onwukwem, and two of his associates, months after they were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for contempt of court by a Lagos Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Eti-Osa.

The court had convicted Onwukwem alongside his accomplices, Davies Ijele, Sodiq Kazeem, and Peace Chidinma Igbo, for acts bordering on forceful eviction and disregard for court orders.

However, while Kazeem is currently serving his sentence at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, the other three have reportedly gone into hiding, raising concerns over the enforcement of the court’s ruling.

The defendants were prosecuted in connection with the unlawful eviction of a couple, Olusola Alabi and his wife, Olufunmilola Alabi, who had rented an apartment under a property management arrangement allegedly linked to Green Birch Tech Limited.

According to court documents, the defendants were found guilty of contempt after allegedly violating legal procedures while a tenancy dispute was still pending before the court.

The matter was filed under suit number MISC/MCE/07/2023, in which the court invoked Section 44(1)(a) of the Tenancy Law of Lagos State 2011 (as amended).
The court heard that the defendants unlawfully entered the apartment located at No. 96B Ladipo Omotosho Cole Street, Lekki I, Eti-Osa, Lagos, forcibly opened the door and removed the tenants’ belongings, including electronics, furniture, bedding, air conditioners, a refrigerator, and a gas cooker with its cylinder.

The claimants also alleged that their properties, valued at about N25 million, were removed from the apartment before the premises were subsequently rented out to another tenant despite the ongoing litigation.

Delivering judgment on June 5, 2025, Chief Magistrate Kikelomo Olaiya Doja‑Ojo sentenced the four defendants to six months’ imprisonment each for contempt of court and ordered them to pay a fine of N250,000 each.

The court further directed that the claimant be restored to possession of the apartment and that all removed belongings be returned immediately.
“The claimant is to be restored to possession. All her belongings removed are to be returned to her immediately,” the Certified True Copy of the judgment stated.

However, months after the ruling, the Alabi family alleged that only Kazeem has complied with the court’s sentence, while Onwukwem, Ijele and Igbo have yet to present themselves to authorities.

The development has sparked concerns over what observers describe as selective compliance with court orders.
Sources familiar with the case also alleged that Ijele, who serves as Publicity Secretary of the Social Democratic Party in Kogi State, may have leveraged connections within security agencies to avoid arrest.

The politician was also said to have recently launched a non-governmental initiative known as the Police Integrity Movement, aimed at supporting the Nigerian Police, and has reportedly appeared on several television programmes promoting the initiative.

Critics believe the move may be part of efforts to cultivate goodwill within security circles amid his legal troubles.

Reacting to the controversy, the Alabi couple said the dispute began after an alleged breach of their tenancy agreement by the landlord, prompting them to seek legal redress in court.

They alleged that while the matter was still pending, the landlord and his associates forcefully entered their apartment, removed their properties and replaced them with another tenant.

Attempts to reach Onwukwem and Ijele for comments proved unsuccessful as their phone lines were unreachable at the time of filing this report.

However, Igbo denied allegations linking her to the enforcement issues surrounding the court judgment. She also rejected claims that she stood as a surety for Kazeem.

“They have spoilt my name and career. I don’t know how to reach them. They have issues with a particular person; why involve me instead of meeting those concerned directly? I know nothing about it,” she said.

Igbo further insisted that she never signed any legal documents as a surety and maintained that she merely worked with the firm in an administrative capacity.

“For the record, I didn’t sign in as a surety. I was working as a secretary and HR for the firm. I was not a lawyer in that instance. I was in law school in 2021,” she added.

She nevertheless acknowledged that steps were being taken to address the matter, including attempts to obtain a remand order.

Meanwhile, the case has continued to generate public interest, with calls for law enforcement authorities to ensure that all parties comply with the court’s judgment to uphold the rule of law.