Jigida Queen appeals to Lagos Govt and CJN over forceful eviction from her Surulere home, alleging fraud and illegal judgment by her sister and collaborators
The iconic Nigerian highlife musician, Jigida Queen has made an emotional appeal to the Lagos State Government and the Chief Justice of Nigeria following what she describes as a fraudulent and forceful eviction from her family home in Surulere.
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Speaking at a press conference, the 70-year-old singer, whose real name is Mrs Uche Ibeto, revealed that on 15 August 2025, she was abruptly removed from 36 Ibezim Obiajulu Street, a house she says she has lived in for over 50 years with her late mother.
“I was thrown out at 6am by over 50 men—police, thugs, and court sheriffs—acting on a judgment I was never part of,” Jigida Queen stated.
She explained that the eviction followed a court ruling delivered on 10 July 2025 in favour of businessman Cecil Ezem Osakwe, in a suit involving her sisters Laura Okoh and Ifeoma Ilodibe.
The court granted possession of the Surulere property, despite the fact that Jigida Queen was neither a defendant nor served with any legal notice.
According to her, the judgment was enforced using title documents for a completely different property located in Idimu, not the Surulere house.
She claims to still possess the original documents handed over by her late mother, Mrs Esther Uche Ibeto.
“That judgment is based on deceit. This is my family home. The documents they used in court don’t even match our property,” Jigida Queen said.
The eviction also affected several tenants, including lawyers Mr Sylvester Onwubualili and Mr Vincent Okafor, who confirmed they had never been served notices or made aware of the proceedings.
Mrs Ilodibe, one of the supposed sellers, has denied any knowledge of the sale or the court case, aligning with Jigida Queen’s claim that the process was fraudulent.
Meanwhile, Mr Kenneth Joshua, the lawyer representing Mr Osakwe, had sent a demand letter on 8 April 2025 asserting control of the building—a claim both sisters reject.
Jigida Queen said she lost valuables worth over ₦500 million, including musical instruments, artwork, and personal effects. Her tenants’ property was also sealed or allegedly destroyed.
She has since been left homeless, relying on friends and sympathisers for shelter.
“I have nowhere to stay. I’m over 70. This is not just about me—it’s about justice,” she said.
Determined to fight back, Jigida Queen has vowed to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal and file a petition with the Nigerian Bar Association against the lawyer involved.
“A judgment delivered in July and enforced within weeks without notice to residents is deeply suspicious. I’m asking the CJN to investigate this abuse,” she urged.
She also made a direct appeal to Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and a political leader in Surulere, to intervene and help her recover her rightful home.
“This house was my mother’s legacy. I won’t let it be stolen through legal manipulation,” Jigida Queen declared.
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The case has raised serious questions about legal abuse, property fraud, and the enforcement of judgments in Nigeria, especially involving elderly citizens.
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