A popular Lagos-based socialite, Olaseni Johnson Olayinika, widely known as Abu Abel, has been arrested by the police over his alleged involvement in a ₦447 million land scam.
The arrest was carried out by operatives of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), Alagbon, led by CSP Taiwo Oyewole, on the orders of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Margaret Ochalla.
Sources revealed that Abu Abel had been on the run for several weeks before being traced to a hideout in Victoria Island, Lagos, where he was apprehended without resistance. The arrest followed a petition by Doyin Investment Group of Companies, who accused him of fraudulently selling them three plots of land located at Augustina Orji Street, Ojomu Chieftaincy Family land, Oke-Arin Village, Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
In 2023, the suspect reportedly posed as the legitimate owner of Plots 1, 4, and 10, measuring about 1,800.311 square metres, and collected ₦447 million from the company. A Deed of Assignment was executed, but the land was later discovered to be encumbered with a third-party claim.
Although Abel initially admitted knowledge of the issue and began partial repayment, totaling ₦230 million, he defaulted on the remaining ₦217 million. In January 2024, he signed a written undertaking to repay the balance or forfeit his property at Block C, Plot 22, Oba Amusa Adebambo Avenue, Lekki, but he failed to honour this commitment and instead filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit, which the police believe was intended to obstruct justice.
Recovered items during his arrest include payment receipts, legal documents, and written undertakings. The police also disclosed that he is under investigation for alleged ties to a secret cult group involved in land grabbing, fraud, and criminal intimidation in Lagos and Ogun States.
Abu Abel is expected to be arraigned soon on multiple charges, including obtaining money under false pretence, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy to defraud, contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and the Criminal Code Act.
Meanwhile, Doyin Investment Group has urged Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure full prosecution and recovery of the remaining funds. A company spokesperson stated: “This was a calculated fraud. We commend the police and trust that justice will be served.”
Efforts to reach Ameenat Maiyegun, the spokesperson for FCID Annex, Alagbon, were unsuccessful as her phone remained unanswered at press time.
