By SUNTV Global Channel | December 28, 2025
SUNTV Global Channel reports that Simonis Ventures Nigeria Limited has accused the Head of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit, CP Akin Fakorede, of deploying police officers to support an alleged illegal takeover of its land in Abuja by the Enugu State Government—despite multiple court judgments and a standing directive by the IGP banning police involvement in land disputes.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters and reviewed by SUNTV Global Channel, a representative of Simonis Ventures, identified as Joseph, alleged that forged documents were used to overturn a valid court verdict that had already confirmed the company’s ownership of the disputed land in Wuye District, Abuja.
“I represent Simonis Ventures Nigeria Limited,” Joseph said in the video. “We acquired this land in 2022 through a registered power of attorney, and a Certificate of Occupancy was duly issued to us in 2025.”
According to him, the Enugu State Government had earlier laid claim to the property but lost the case in court.
“They took us to court claiming the land was theirs, and judgment was entered against them. They never appealed,” he said. “After that, we took possession—fenced the land, installed a gate, and maintained it.”
Joseph alleged that officials of the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) later connived with Enugu State officials to resurrect the dispute using forged documents.
“They pulled out our valid court judgment and allegedly forged another document, which they used to mislead the FCT authorities into issuing a fresh C of O to Enugu State,” he claimed, adding that the FCT administration was deceived with false records.
He further accused CP Fakorede of deploying police officers to the site in clear violation of the IGP’s directive that police must not interfere in civil land matters.
“The IGP has clearly said no policeman should be involved in land disputes, yet CP Fakorede has taken over this site,” Joseph said. “Behind me, you can see police officers occupying the land while others are putting up signposts.”
Questioning the claim of neutrality by the police, he added, “What kind of neutrality is this when police are clearly taking sides?”
Joseph also alleged repeated police presence and intimidation at the property, saying officers on site refused to identify themselves and had no visible name tags as of Saturday, December 27.
He appealed directly to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene.
“IG, please wade into this matter. Call all parties together and let CP Fakorede explain why police are guarding a site that already has a final court judgment and a valid C of O,” he pleaded.
Court Judgments Back Simonis Ventures
Court documents obtained by SaharaReporters and reviewed by SUNTV Global Channel show that on May 12, 2016, the FCT High Court, presided over by Justice O.A. Musa, ruled that the Enugu State Government and the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation had no legal interest in the disputed land, identified as Plot 804/807, Cadastral Zone A03, Wuye District, Abuja.
The court struck out the case for lack of locus standi, and no appeal was filed, making the judgment final.
In 2025, Simonis Ventures returned to court, complaining of continued interference by Enugu State officials and alleged police harassment. On November 27, 2025, Justice Kayode Agunloye reaffirmed the earlier judgment and issued a perpetual injunction restraining the Enugu State Government, its agencies, and the police from disturbing the company’s possession and enjoyment of the land.
IGP’s Standing Order
The allegations come despite repeated public warnings by IGP Kayode Egbetokun that police officers must stay away from land disputes. In a video message released in September via the official X handle of the Nigeria Police Force, the IGP warned officers against escorting parties for land recovery or acting on behalf of private interests.
“You have no business escorting parties for land recovery,” Egbetokun stated, warning that violators would face disciplinary action.
Pattern of Allegations
This is not the first controversy linked to CP Fakorede. In September, SaharaReporters reported that he allegedly pressured the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) during the River Park Estate dispute in Abuja, despite a directive from the Attorney-General of the Federation ordering the police to stand down pending legal review.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Abuja land dispute and the response of the Nigeria Police Force to these serious allegations.
