Lagos CP Moshood Jimoh Faces Contempt Trial Over Defiant Sealing Of Nestoil Building
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This is certainly not the best of times for the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Moshood Jimoh, who has been dragged before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly flouting a subsisting court order restraining him and his officers from interfering with the business premises of Nestoil Group, a property legally belonging to Drawcok Estates Limited.
The fresh contempt proceedings were initiated after Mr. Jimoh reportedly deployed over fifty armed police officers on Monday to seal the Nestoil building in Lagos in direct violation of an order by Justice Ofili Ajumogobia.
According to Drawcok Estates Ltd, the CP not only ignored the November 24 order which affirmed the company’s ownership of the property, but also proceeded to reinforce the security presence around the building, barring staff of several businesses from entering their offices.
In addition, despite the Federal Government’s directive that police escorts be withdrawn from VIPs, Mr. Jimoh allegedly assigned police personnel to guard Mr. Sulu Gambari, the self-acclaimed Receiver Manager earlier appointed by retired Justice Isaac Dipeolu. That appointment has since been vacated.
Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi had earlier set aside all orders issued by Justice Isaac Deinde Dipeolu, including the controversial appointment of Mr. Sulu Gambari as Receiver Manager over the property.
With the vacation of those orders, the court affirmed that no party had the authority to interfere with Drawcok’s lawful possession pending determination of the substantive matters.
Dissatisfied with the CP’s alleged disregard for these judicial directives, Drawcok Estates Ltd, on Monday, filed a contempt charge against Mr. Olohundare Jimoh Moshood (Contemnor) before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In the suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2385/2025—the applicant seeks:
A declaration that the Police Commissioner is guilty of contempt of court
His committal to prison unless he complies with Justice Ajumogobia’s orders of November 24, 2025
Immediate enforcement of Drawcok’s right to access, control and secure its property
Justice Ofili Ajumogobia had on November 24 issued a comprehensive ruling that:
Affirmed Drawcok Estates Ltd’s ownership and right to possession of the Nestoil building.
Declared the sealing-off of the property by the police a violation of Sections 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Ordered the immediate vacation of the property by all police officers and any persons acting on their behalf.
Directed the police to provide security for Drawcok to retake possession.
Restrained the police from harassing, intimidating or denying access to Drawcok and its workers.
Despite these clear pronouncements, multiple eyewitnesses told Nigerian Concord that officers stationed at the building continued blocking access to workers on Tuesday.
Newsmen who visited the premises yesterday confirmed that police officers, allegedly acting on the instructions of CP Jimoh, were still preventing employees of several companies from entering their offices.
This is despite the explicit directive of Hon. Justice Ajumogobia that all workers and tenants must be granted access immediately.
A worker who spoke anonymously expressed frustration, “We resumed work with a valid court order, but the police say they are under strict instructions not to let anyone in. We don’t understand why they are disobeying the court.”
The Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to fix a date for hearing the contempt proceedings. If found guilty, the Lagos Police Commissioner faces potential committal to prison until full compliance with the court’s orders is ensured.
The Lagos Police Command has yet to issue an official statement regarding the allegations.
