Police Defy Court, Shield Rent Defaulter in Lagos Row
…CTSR Group Chairman’s Guards Arrested as Police Aid Tenant Who Issued Dud Cheque
A deeply troubling drama is unfolding in Lagos, where respected business magnate and Group Chairman of CTSR Group Ltd, Funke Otti, is facing targeted harassment from senior police authorities- despite possessing a valid Magistrate Court order against a long-term tenant, Svengali Furniture, who has defaulted on rent payments for over 45 months.
Otti, who owns the commercial premises in dispute, secured a lawful court ruling evicting Svengali Furniture from her property after nearly four years of unpaid rent, the issuance of a dud cheque, and several failed attempts to get the company to fulfil its contractual obligations.
Yet, rather than upholding the court’s judgment, officers from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, allegedly under the directive of a high-ranking Assistant Inspector-General and senior officer Ngozi Braide, have instead turned on the rightful owner, launching what many are describing as a campaign of state-backed intimidation.
A Court Judgment Ignored, and a System Compromised
After exhausting all civil avenues, Otti sought and obtained a ruling from the Lagos Magistrate Court, which authorised the repossession of her property. The court’s directive was executed without resistance by the bailiff, in accordance with the law.
However, the tenant, Mr Anselem Tabansi, CEO of Svengali Furniture, reportedly issued a dud cheque for the rent- an act criminalised under Nigerian law-yet continued to illegally occupy the property. Following enforcement of the court’s ruling, officers from Alagbon FCID descended on the premises, arrested three of Otti’s private security guards, and issued a deceptive invitation aimed at luring her in for detention.
“She was told to come and make a statement,” said a family source. “But it’s clearly a trap. Her guards are already in custody. Her only ‘crime’ was obeying the court.”
Influence Peddling and Police Collusion?
At the heart of the controversy are serious allegations of collusion and abuse of power. Mr Tabansi is said to have boasted publicly about his influence over the police, claiming he had “settled” top officers at Alagbon who would act in his favour.
“He claims he has the police in his pocket,” said a close associate of Otti. “It’s shocking, but when you see how the police are behaving, you begin to wonder if he’s right.”
The Lagos State Police Command had earlier been petitioned by Otti’s legal team, and after thorough review, concluded that the matter was purely civil, advising the police to refrain from interference. Yet, that professional verdict was disregarded by Alagbon officers, raising concerns of deep institutional compromise.
The Business Impact and Human Toll
“This is no longer a tenancy issue—it’s an economic and legal crisis,” said Barrister Ijeoma Nweke, a leading property law advocate. “If a businesswoman, a Group Chairman with a valid court order, cannot enforce her rights without being harassed and targeted by police, then we are operating in anarchy, not under law.”
Otti, whose company, CTSR Group Ltd, is recognised for integrity and innovation, now finds herself emotionally drained and legally cornered. “She went to court. She won. She acted within the law. Now her guards are behind bars, and she is being hunted by state agents,” a family member lamented.
A Clarion Call to the IGP: The Nation Is Watching
As the saga unfolds, public pressure is mounting on Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to order an immediate investigation and rein in what many are calling a dangerous pattern of selective enforcement and institutional abuse.
“This is the moment for the IGP to act, not just for Funke Otti, but to reaffirm the sanctity of court orders and rule of law in Nigeria,” said a retired senior police officer. “If Alagbon can reverse a Magistrate Court decision with handcuffs and deception, then no Nigerian business is safe.”
As public outrage grows, women entrepreneurs, legal professionals, and civil society groups are rallying behind Otti. The stakes are now much higher than a property dispute- it’s a national test of whether wealth and proximity to power can once again triumph over law, decency, and truth.
