A Lagos-based estate developer, Samsideen Sule, has instituted a legal action at the Ikeja Judicial Division of the Lagos State High Court, accusing two members of the Abolarinwa family and a senior police officer of defamation, harassment, and malicious publication. Sule, who operates under the name SAS Estate Developer, is challenging what he describes as false, malicious, and damaging allegations contained in petitions allegedly written and circulated by the defendants.
Details of the Allegations
The defendants—Sherifat Abolarinwa, Habeeb Abolarinwa, and CSP Taofeek Tijani of the Zone II Police Command—are accused of authoring and circulating a petition dated March 19, 2024. The petition alleged that Sule was involved in the theft of two trinket boxes containing 950 grammes of 24-carat gold belonging to the late Tejumola Abolarinwa. Sule vehemently denies these claims, labeling them as false, malicious, and defamatory, and asserts that they were intended to damage his reputation as a businessman and estate developer.
Background of the Dispute
According to Sule, he was lawfully engaged by the Abolarinwa family to assist in recovering land allegedly taken over by hoodlums and land grabbers in the Idimu and Abule-Odu areas of Lagos. Acting under a Power of Attorney executed in his favor, he mobilized resources, engaged lawyers, and pursued petitions before security agencies, which led to the recovery of nine plots of land. He alleges that despite these efforts, the defendants later turned against him, resulting in police invitations, intimidation, and humiliation.
Legal Claims and Reliefs Sought
Sule is seeking N500 million in damages for alleged injury to his reputation, emotional trauma, and business losses. He is also requesting the court to restrain the defendants from making further defamatory statements against him. The matter is yet to be assigned a hearing date.
