How Landlady in Lagos was brutally Beaten by Tenant Police officer,Over Claim of Properties
Princess Bunmi Blessing, a businesswoman in Lagos, has recounted a harrowing experience involving alleged police brutality, sexual assault, and wrongful detention. Bunmi went to the Ijede Police Station to report an assault and robbery but ended up becoming the victim herself.Â
Bunmi Blessing, who runs a clothing and jewelry business, described the trauma she faced while trying to reclaim her property from her tenant, Hajara Inusa, an alleged retired police officer with connections at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. According to Bunmi, she rented out eight of her ten shops to Hajara in 2019 for N736,000 for two years. During a meeting to issue receipts, Hajara expressed interest in buying the property for N25 million, which Bunmi declined.
This refusal marked the beginning of Bunmi’s ordeal. She recounted multiple instances of beatings and torture by thugs allegedly hired by Hajara. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Hajara claimed ownership of Bunmi’s property, including an undeveloped piece of land, and erected structures on it. Despite Bunmi’s instructions to remove them, Hajara apologized and promised compliance but never followed through.
When Bunmi reported the matter to the police, she found no support, as Hajara was perceived as influential. One day, men posing as police officers from the Force HQ in Abuja attempted to arrest Bunmi at her shop, seizing her money and phone. The intervention of neighbors and passers-by prevented her abduction, revealing the imposters as thugs.
Bunmi’s attempts to seek justice faced further setbacks when she went to Area N police station and discovered Hajara dining with the station’s commander and the thugs who assaulted her. Bunmi was then wrongfully accused, handcuffed, beaten, and stripped naked. Despite reporting these abuses, she found no recourse.
With her lawyer, Eleto Yakubu, Bunmi filed for her fundamental human rights in court. However, this only intensified the terror, as Hajara’s men continued to harass and assault her. In one incident, Bunmi and her eight-year-old daughter were detained overnight at Alagbon police station in Ikoyi, accused of theft by Hajara.
Despite continuous threats and assaults, Bunmi sought justice through various legal channels. Her persistence led to a favorable court judgment in July 2022, ordering Hajara to vacate the property. Enraged, Hajara vandalized the property, and despite reporting this to the police, Bunmi received no assistance.
Bunmi also filed a petition with human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and sought intervention from various police commissioners. Hajara, however, remained unresponsive and continued her harassment, even filing defamation charges against Bunmi.
In a turn of events, Bunmi was detained by armed officers on Hajara’s orders but was rescued by soldiers who intervened during her transport. Her case was eventually transferred to the Force HQ in Abuja, where Hajara’s influence again came into play.
Despite these setbacks, Bunmi continues to fight for her rights and property. She calls on Nigerians and the media to help her secure justice and regain her property from Hajara, whom she describes as a terror. Efforts to reach Hajara and her partner for their side of the story were unsuccessful.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, and the Force Police Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, were contacted for comments but provided no substantial responses.
Bunmi remains determined to reclaim her property and restore her peace of mind amidst ongoing threats and legal battles.
