By Babatunji Wusu
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Lagos socialite Olaseni Johnson Olayinka, popularly known as Abu Abel, was arrested by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos, on July 27, 2025, following a directive by Assistant Inspector-General of Police Margaret Ochalla.
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The arrest followed a petition by Doyin Investment Group of Companies accusing him of fraudulently selling three plots of land in Mayegun, Eti-Osa, Lagos, for ₦447 million through a signed Deed of Assignment in 2023.
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Abu Abel admitted knowing the land was encumbered with third-party claims and refunded ₦230 million but defaulted on the remaining ₦217 million, despite a January 2024 written undertaking to repay or forfeit a property in Lekki as collateral.
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He reportedly went into hiding in Victoria Island for several weeks to evade arrest and filed a human rights lawsuit, an attempt police say was to obstruct justice; he is also under investigation for alleged links to a cult group involved in land grabbing, fraud, and intimidation in Lagos and Ogun States.
Lagos socialite Abu Abel, real name Olaseni Johnson Olayinka, was apprehended by FCID operatives led by CSP Taiwo Oyewole at a hideout in Victoria Island after weeks on the run. The arrest was triggered by complaints from Doyin Investment Group of Companies, which accused him of deceitfully selling three land plots (1, 4, and 10) measuring about 1,800 square meters on Augustina Orji Street within the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family land, situated in Oke-Arin Village, Eti-Osa.
The company paid ₦447 million in 2023 believing Abu Abel was the rightful owner. However, they later discovered the land was subject to a third-party claim. Confronted, Abu Abel admitted awareness of the dispute, refunded part of the money (₦230 million), but refused to settle the remainder. Despite signing a written agreement promising repayment and offering a Lekki property as security, he failed to honor his commitments.
Authorities retrieved payment receipts, the deed of assignment, and correspondence during the arrest. Abu Abel’s filing of a fundamental human rights suit against the police was seen as a tactic to delay justice. Investigators are also probing his alleged involvement with a cult group engaged in fraudulent activities and intimidation related to land across Lagos and Ogun states. He faces multiple charges, including obtaining money under false pretenses, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy to defraud, under extant Nigerian laws.
This case highlights ongoing challenges with land fraud in Lagos and the determination of law enforcement agencies to bring high-profile suspects to justice.
