Concerns have been raised over the handling of police operations connected to the ongoing legal dispute involving Nestoil Group and FBNQuest, with critics warning that recent actions by the Lagos State Police Command could undermine public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
It was indicate that court bailiffs who visited the Lagos premises of Nestoil Group on Tuesday morning to serve an order issued by Justice R.N. Ofili Ajumogobia were denied access by armed police officers stationed at the location. The officers were said to have insisted that no court official would be allowed into the building without clearance from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh Moshood.
Sources familiar with the case allege that the police deployment contradicts interim orders issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja regarding the disputed property, which is claimed by Drawcok Estates Ltd. According to court documents, Drawcok Estates Ltd—represented by senior advocates Kehinde Ogunwumiu, SAN, and Ademola Abimbola, SAN—requested judicial protection over the properties located at 4 Nyasa Close, Maitama, Abuja, and 41/42 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In a ruling delivered on 24 November 2025 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2385/2025, Justice Ofili Ajumogobia affirmed the applicant’s right to possess the properties and held that their previous sealing by security operatives amounted to an infringement of property rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The judge ordered the respondents—including the Nigerian Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police—to vacate the properties and provide security to enable Drawcok Estates Ltd to regain possession. The court further restrained the respondents from denying the applicant access to the premises or engaging in acts that could constitute harassment.
Despite the court’s pronouncements, stakeholders allege that a significant number of police officers remain attached to Mr. Sulu Gambari, who has described himself as a receiver-manager appointed in a related matter previously handled by Justice Isaac Dipeolu. Critics argue that continued police protection for Gambari contradicts the recent directive by the Federal Government mandating the withdrawal of police escorts from private citizens and VIPs, except under approved circumstances.
Questions have also been raised about the legality of the police presence at the Nestoil Tower property, which Drawcok Estates Ltd claims to have owned since 2012 based on documentation reportedly filed with the Lagos State Land Registry.
Observers note that it previously took several days for the police to comply with an order vacating Gambari’s earlier appointment, raising further concerns about adherence to judicial directives.
As at the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued an official response to the allegations or provided clarification regarding the deployment of officers to the disputed premises.
