Police operatives attached to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, have arrested a popular Lagos socialite, Olaseni Johnson Olayinka, popularly known as Abu Abel, over his alleged involvement in a N447 million land fraud.
The arrest, carried out by a tactical team led by CSP Taiwo Oyewole, took place at a residence in Victoria Island, Lagos, where the suspect was reportedly hiding. The operation was executed on the directive of the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of FCID, Mrs. Margaret Ochalla, following a formal petition by Doyin Investment Group of Companies.
According to the petition, the suspect fraudulently sold three plots of land located at Augustina Orji Street, Ojomu Chieftaincy Family Land, Oke-Arin Village, Mayegun, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos. The plots—numbered 1, 4, and 10—measuring approximately 1,800.311 square metres, were allegedly sold in 2023 under the claim that Abu Abel was the rightful owner.
The company said it paid N447 million for the land after a Deed of Assignment was executed between the parties. However, the land was later discovered to be encumbered and under third-party claim.
“When confronted, the suspect admitted he was aware of the issue and promised to refund the payment,” the petition read. “He refunded N230 million in bits but defaulted on the remaining N217 million.”
Doyin Investment Group further alleged that Abu Abel became evasive and even began issuing threats to its officials. On January 11, 2024, he reportedly signed a written undertaking to repay the outstanding sum and used his property at Block C, Plot 22, Oba Amusa Adebambo Avenue, Lekki, as collateral. However, he failed to honor the agreement.
Instead, the suspect allegedly filed a fundamental human rights enforcement suit, which the police described as a deliberate ploy to obstruct justice. He was eventually arrested after several weeks of intelligence tracking.
A source familiar with the investigation disclosed that the suspect is also being probed for alleged ties to a secret cult group involved in high-profile fraud, land grabbing, and criminal intimidation in Lagos and Ogun states.
“His arrest was ordered by AIG Margaret Ochalla and executed by CSP Taiwo James and her tactical team. The operation was intelligence-driven and concluded successfully in Abuja,” the source revealed.
Recovered from the suspect were several key documents, including payment receipts, the Deed of Assignment, written undertakings, and correspondence with the complainant.
Abu Abel is expected to be arraigned on multiple charges, including obtaining money under false pretence, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy to defraud—offences that contravene the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and the Criminal Code Act.
Doyin Investment Group has called on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure full prosecution of the suspect and the recovery of the outstanding N217 million.
“This was a calculated fraud. We trusted the system, paid the money legally, and now the company is suffering losses. We commend the police for tracking him down, and we are confident that justice will be served,” a representative of the company stated.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the FCID, ASP Ameenat Mayegun, said she would revert.
