By Ihechi Enyinnaya
A Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs. Aderonke Adekoya-Ogunjobi, has been issued a 24-hour ultimatum to vacate the premises of Goodwill Private Schools Limited in Ikorodu following allegations of a forceful and unlawful occupation of the school property.
The warning was issued by Benson Enikuomehin & Co., solicitors to Pastor Sunday Enikuomehin, proprietor of the school, in a petition that details a dramatic invasion of the school on Monday, May 19, while students were sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
According to the petition signed by Omolola Omoyele, Esq., Head of Chambers at the law firm, Mrs. Adekoya-Ogunjobi allegedly arrived at the school premises accompanied by a man identified as Ishaya Dauda — said to be an EFCC officer — and a group of thugs, claiming to be executing a court judgment. However, the lawyers contend that no such judgment has been delivered and that the case is still pending before Hon. Justice O.A. Owoeye at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi.
“She failed to come with court sheriffs as required by law and proceeded to forcefully evacuate students and teachers from the school without explanation or legal justification,” the petition reads. “Students were denied access to their personal belongings, and thugs were stationed on the property to prevent reentry.”
The legal firm accuses the EFCC officer of conducting what it described as a “kangaroo handover” and handing documents to Adekoya-Ogunjobi that enabled her to take control of the school without due process.
Benson Enikuomehin & Co. has demanded that Adekoya-Ogunjobi immediately withdraw all thugs from the premises and issue a formal letter of apology to their clients within 24 hours of receiving the letter. Failure to comply, the firm warned, will trigger legal action, including petitions to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and relevant security agencies.
The petition also alleges that the lawyer, who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2010, disregarded warnings from the school’s proprietor and the legal team about the illegality of the takeover.
As of the time of filing this report, Mrs. Adekoya-Ogunjobi has not publicly responded to the allegations. The EFCC is yet to confirm or deny the involvement of its officer in the incident.
The alleged invasion has sparked outrage in the local community, especially given its disruption of ongoing examinations and the use of force in a sensitive academic environment.