The Nigeria Police Force has arrested Lagos-based socialite Olaseni Johnson Olayinika, popularly known as Abu Abel, over an alleged ₦447 million land scam.
The arrest, CrimesChroniclers reports, was carried out on Saturday, July 27, by operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, under the supervision of CSP Taiwo Oyewole and on the directive of Assistant Inspector General of Police, Margaret Ochalla. Authorities said Abel had been on the run for several weeks before he was apprehended while hiding in Victoria Island.
According to a petition by Doyin Investment Group, Abel allegedly sold the company three plots of land located on Augustina Orji Street in Oke-Arin Village, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, in 2023 for ₦447 million, claiming full ownership. However, after payment was made, the firm discovered the land was already under third-party encumbrance.
Abel reportedly acknowledged the issue and refunded ₦230 million, but failed to remit the outstanding ₦217 million. In January 2024, he signed a written agreement promising to refund the balance or forfeit a property in Lekki as settlement. Instead, he filed a human rights lawsuit, which investigators say was intended to obstruct ongoing inquiries.
Police sources further disclosed that Abel is under investigation for possible links to a secret cult group allegedly involved in fraudulent land deals, criminal intimidation, and land grabbing activities across Lagos and Ogun states.
During the arrest, investigators recovered various documents, including receipts, a deed of assignment, formal undertakings, and other pieces of evidence tied to the case.
He is expected to be charged with multiple offences, including obtaining money under false pretence, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy to defraud, under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act of 2006 and relevant sections of the Criminal Code.
