The Olojo Kosoko Ruling House of Lagos has accused some individuals of using police officers to intimidate members of the family and enforce what it described as an unlawful siege on the Oloja of Lagos Palace, despite a subsisting court order directing the parties to maintain the status quo.

In a statement signed by the head of the ruling house, Prince Surajudeen Abiodun Olojo-Kosoko, and its secretary, Prince Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko, the family alleged that the actions were being orchestrated by some influential personalities in defiance of a July 7, 2026, ruling of the Lagos State High Court.

According to the statement, Justice Oresanya ordered all parties in the chieftaincy dispute over the Oloja of Lagos stool to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The ruling house alleged that despite the order, police officers had been deployed to the palace, where they were preventing family members and legitimate visitors from gaining access while providing protection for suspected thugs.

It also claimed that Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, described as the Oloja of Lagos-elect, and other family members had received police invitation letters allegedly instigated by the same individuals.

“The palace is currently under siege, and this direct violation of a court order is a recipe for a breakdown of law and order on Lagos Island,” Prince Surajudeen said, urging the police not to allow themselves to be used in a civil chieftaincy dispute already before the court.

The family described the alleged actions as contempt of court, an abuse of police powers and a violation of the constitutional rights of its members.

It called on the Lagos State Police Command to immediately withdraw officers from the palace, investigate the circumstances surrounding the police invitations issued to its members, reject what it termed false petitions and ensure strict neutrality while the matter remains before the court.

The ruling house said it had forwarded certified true copies of the court order and other relevant documents to the Commissioner of Police. It added that the Inspector-General of Police, the Lagos State Attorney-General, the Registrar of the Lagos State High Court, the Oba of Lagos and the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor had also been notified.

It appealed to the police hierarchy to intervene urgently to uphold the rule of law and prevent a breakdown of peace on Lagos Island. (The Guardian)