Lagos socialite sues police for N50m over harassment

A Lagos-based socialite, Gail Fajembola, has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit before the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking judicial intervention over what she described as continuous threats, harassment, and intimidation allegedly orchestrated by the Nigeria Police Force on behalf of private individuals.”

In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/2025, and filed by her counsel, Akin Apara of BA LAW LLP, the applicant is asking the court to declare that the police have no lawful authority to interfere in a purely civil dispute over possession of an apartment, Flat K9-2, Ocean Parade Towers, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The respondents in the action are the Inspector General of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (Zone 2), the Commissioner of Police (Lagos State Command), one Ogbonna Nweke, Olutoyl Estate Development & Services Ltd, and businessman Tunde Ayeni.

Fajembola is urging the court to hold that “any attempt or threat by the police to arrest, detain, or otherwise interfere with my liberty or dignity on account of a private civil disagreement is unconstitutional, unlawful, and an abuse of police powers.

She is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st to 4th respondents (the police authorities) from further interfering with her constitutionally guaranteed rights to personal liberty, dignity of human person, and freedom of movement, as enshrined under Sections 35(1), 36, 41(1), and 46(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Additionally, she is asking the court to award N50m in damages for what she terms “unlawful and unconstitutional interference with my rights through threats, harassment, and police intimidation.”

In a 10-paragraph affidavit in support of the originating motion, deposed to by Olawale Arowosaye, a litigation clerk at BA LAW LLP, the court was informed that the dispute arose from a soured personal relationship between the applicant and the 6th respondent, Mr Tunde Ayeni.