By SUNTV Global Channel
July 2, 2026
A coalition of lawyers and the civil society organisation, Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT), has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate police officers accused of obstructing operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during the enforcement of a Federal High Court interim forfeiture order in Abuja.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, human rights lawyer Dr. Maxwell Chibuike Opara described the incident, which reportedly occurred at a property located on O.B. Lulu-Briggs Street, Guzape, as an assault on the rule of law.
According to Opara, EFCC operatives arrived at the property to enforce a valid court order but were allegedly confronted by armed police officers attached to the premises. He claimed that tear gas and chemical sprays were used against the anti-graft operatives and that threats were made to shoot them before the EFCC eventually secured control of the property.
He further alleged that two police officers were arrested during the operation, while others fled the scene.
The lawyers called on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately investigate who deployed the officers to the property and under whose authority they acted. They also alleged that ammunition was recovered from the premises and questioned why police personnel were providing security at the property despite government directives restricting police escorts for unauthorised individuals.
The group commended the EFCC for carrying out the court order, insisting that the agency acted within the law.
Opara further claimed that the disputed property belongs to an 80-year-old widow, Collen Mero Yesufu, who has allegedly been unable to regain possession of her residence despite several court orders.
The lawyers also urged the Minister of Interior and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service to investigate allegations that the occupant of the property, Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, also known as Hajia Bilikisu, was issued a second Nigerian passport through an allegedly irregular process.
They further appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation to authorise a federal takeover of the ongoing prosecution, alleging that the existing case had been compromised.
However, Rebecca Godwin strongly denied all the allegations, describing them as false and an attempt to damage her reputation.
She maintained that the ownership dispute is already before a competent court and questioned the enforcement of an interim forfeiture order while the substantive case remains pending.
Rebecca also alleged that officials who visited the property damaged her belongings by deflating the tyres of her vehicles, disconnecting electricity supply, and causing distress to occupants of the house.
Insisting that she legally owns the property, she said she has fully cooperated with investigators throughout the case and accused her critics of attempting to influence public opinion while the matter remains before the courts.
The controversy has added a new dimension to the ongoing dispute, with calls for an independent investigation into the conduct of all parties involved.
