Mariam Sanni
A group of concerned lawyers and the civil society organisation, the Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT), has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu to investigate police officers who allegedly obstructed and tear-gassed operatives of the (EFCC) during the enforcement of a Federal High Court interim forfeiture order on a property in Guzape, Abuja.
The group made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during a press conference addressed by Dr. Maxwell Chibuike Opara who described the events at Plot 4022, O.B. Lulu-Briggs Street, Guzape, on Monday, June 29, 2026, as “a manifestation of institutional anarchy and state-sponsored lawlessness.”
The lawyers alleged that unidentified armed men stationed at the property used chemical sprays and tear gas against EFCC personnel and threatened to shoot the operatives before the commission eventually secured the premises.
According to Opara, EFCC operatives encountered resistance from armed police officers allegedly attached to the property while attempting to execute a court-ordered forfeiture of the property, which the commission alleged is linked to criminal proceedings involving Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, also known as Hajia Bilikisu.
He claimed that the EFCC operatives overpowered the officers and arrested two of them, while others reportedly fled the scene.
We are calling on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately investigate who deployed those officers to the property and under whose authority they acted.
“Nigerians deserve to know why police officers were providing protection to an individual occupying a property that is subject to a valid court forfeiture order.
“The two arrested officers are currently in custody. We also have information indicating that a large quantity of ammunition was recovered from the house.
“We call on the current Inspector-General of Police: if you are not a party to this illegality, you should immediately order a comprehensive investigation and address Nigerians on this matter. This is an assault on the rule of law and on Nigeria as a nation,” he said.
The group questioned why police personnel were allegedly attached to a private individual despite the Federal Government’s directive withdrawing police escorts from unauthorised persons.
“This woman is neither a politically exposed person nor someone entitled to police protection, yet she was allegedly surrounded by armed officers who resisted law enforcement officials carrying out a lawful court order,” Opara added.
Opara praised the EFCC for enforcing a Federal High Court interim forfeiture order on a property allegedly occupied unlawfully by Rebecca Bilikisu, who is standing trial on charges bordering on forgery and related offences.
“We commend public officials when they do the right thing, and we condemn them when they do otherwise,” Opara said. “The EFCC Chairman has demonstrated courage by ensuring that justice is done and the rule of law is upheld.”
According to Opara, the property belongs to an 80-year-old widow, Collen Mero Yesufu, who has allegedly been denied access to her home despite several court orders directing that the property be recovered.
He alleged that Rebecca not only refused to vacate the property but also allegedly forged ownership documents, prompting an EFCC investigation after efforts to pursue the matter through the Nigeria Police Force were allegedly frustrated.
“The EFCC carried out a thorough investigation, filed charges against her, and secured an interim forfeiture order from the Federal High Court directing that the property be taken over,” he stated.
The group also renewed allegations that officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service ( NIS ) fraudulently issued a second Nigerian passport to the suspect while her original passport was allegedly in government custody pursuant to court proceedings.
It claimed that the passport was processed through a prohibited “non-appearance” procedure without the suspect being physically present for biometric capture.
INAHURAT urged the Minister of Interior and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service to address the allegations, warning that any compromise of the passport issuance system could pose serious national security risks.
The organisation disclosed that a petition had been submitted by a legal icon Femi Falana to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ( ICPC), the Minister of Interior, and the Comptroller-General of Immigration, seeking a criminal investigation into the alleged passport issuance.
The group also appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN to issue a fiat authorising the takeover of the ongoing police prosecution involving the suspect, arguing that the matter had been compromised.
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