Police Lack Authority to Adjudicate Land Ownership – ASP Aminat Clarifies

By Emmanuel Kwada

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Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Maiyegun Aminat, Public Relations Officer for the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex Lagos (Alagbon), has provided clear guidance on the role of the police in land-related matters, emphasizing the distinction between civil and criminal disputes.

‎In an official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) today, ASP Aminat explained that disputes over land ownership are purely civil in nature and must be resolved through a court of competent jurisdiction.

‎She stressed that the police lack any authority to determine or adjudicate land ownership.

‎However, ASP Aminat clarified that a land matter crosses into the criminal realm—and thus falls under police jurisdiction—when it involves fraud, deceit, or violence. Specific criminal offences that trigger police investigation include: Obtaining money by false pretence (Section 419 of the Criminal Code Act); Malicious damage (Section 451); Arson (Section 443) or Assault

‎These provisions, she noted, are enshrined in the Criminal Code Act.

‎The clarification was accompanied by a professional photograph of ASP Aminat in her police camouflage uniform, complete with beret and name tag, seated at her office desk with a laptop—projecting an image of official authority and accessibility.

‎This guidance aligns with longstanding police policy in Nigeria, where authorities have repeatedly warned against the misuse of police resources in purely civil matters.

‎The Inspector-General of Police has previously directed officers to refrain from intervening in civil disputes, including land issues, unless a clear criminal element is evident.

‎Land disputes remain a frequent source of tension across Nigeria, often escalating when parties attempt to enforce claims through police action rather than legal channels.

‎Civil society groups and legal experts have echoed similar concerns, urging the police to focus solely on genuine criminal complaints and to uphold court orders impartially.

‎The post has begun to attract public attention, with some users thanking ASP Aminat for the advice and extending the discussion to other common civil issues, such as landlord-tenant disagreements, where police interference is similarly inappropriate.

‎ASP Aminat’s statement serves as a timely reminder of the boundaries of police powers and reinforces the importance of judicial resolution in civil land matters.