Rogue police officers teargas EFCC operatives in Abuja over forfeited property

Last Monday, something happened in Abuja that should make every Nigerian question who really controls the security apparatus in this country. Two busloads of EFCC operatives went to enforce a Federal High Court forfeiture order at Plot 4022, O.B. Lulu-Briggs Street, Guzape — a property allegedly belonging to Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, also known as Hajia Bilikisu, a close ally of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun. Instead of compliance, plainclothes policemen guarding the property teargassed the EFCC team. Teargas. On federal operatives executing a valid court order.

According to SaharaReporters, the men identified themselves as police officers but could not produce any deployment documents. They were on unauthorised assignment, plain and simple. Rebecca was inside the mansion directing the resistance while her hired policemen fired teargas canisters into the street. This is the same woman who has been standing trial for forgery of title documents, Certificate of Occupancy, and Power of Attorney relating to that same property. Three different judges — Justice Egwuatu in 2024, Justice Emeka Nwite in 2025, and Justice Joyce Obehi AbdulMalik in 2026 — have issued interim forfeiture orders. And still, police officers are shielding her.

What is most troubling is that this happened despite President Tinubu and the current IGP Olatunji Disu ordering the withdrawal of police personnel from private individuals. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, had already petitioned the EFCC chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede to enforce the forfeiture order. Barrister Maxwell Opara and advocacy groups had also called for enforcement. Yet here we are — armed policemen choosing to defend a criminal suspect over the rule of law. How many more court orders will be teargassed before someone is held accountable?