Jigida Queen Uche Ibeto
Veteran musician Uche Ibeto, known as the Jigida Queen, has cried out over what she calls her unlawful eviction from her family home in Surulere, Lagos, accusing her elder sister and alleged land grabbers of plotting to defraud her of her late mother’s sole property.
The 70-year-old singer told journalists that she was forcibly removed from her residence at No. 36 Ibezim Obiajulu Street in the early hours of August 15, 2025, by armed policemen, court officials, and thugs enforcing a disputed judgment.
“At my age, I should be enjoying the fruits of my labor, but instead I have been thrown out of my home into the streets by people abusing the law,” Ibeto said emotionally.
She explained that the eviction followed a High Court judgment delivered on July 10, 2025, in favor of Cecil Ezem Osakwe, who claimed to have purchased the property from her sisters, Laura Okoh and Ifeoma Stella Ilodibe. Ibeto, however, insists she was never notified or joined in the lawsuit.
“They came at 6 a.m., broke into my apartment, and told me they were executing a court judgment. I was dragged out in my nightwear, while my belongings—worth over N500 million, including music works, new studio equipment, and fan donations—were stolen or damaged. I am now left homeless,” she recounted.
Her elder sister, Ifeoma, currently in the UK, confirmed Ibeto’s account in a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, stating she never authorized the sale or legal action. She condemned their eldest sister, Laura, accusing her of greed and manipulation, saying, “Laura never cared for our mother and now claims authority over our family home, throwing Uche into the streets.”
Ibeto alleged that lawyer Victor Giwa, acting for Osakwe, led the eviction, openly boasting that not even the President could stop him. She claimed that tenants were locked out while illegal construction began on the property.
Both sisters accused Osakwe and Giwa of being serial land grabbers using fake court papers and thugs to seize properties.
They have called on police and authorities to investigate, prosecute those involved, restore Ibeto to the property, and halt all demolition and construction. Ibeto also appealed to the Lagos State Government, the Attorney General, the National Assembly, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the National Judicial Council to intervene.
A tenant and lawyer, Vincent Okafor, also criticized the speed and handling of the case, highlighting irregularities in court filings and appearances. He said the rushed judgment had already caused financial loss to tenants and warned that ignoring the matter could embolden further abuse of justice.
“This is not just a family feud,” Okafor said. “It is forgery, manipulation, and abuse of power that threatens the integrity of the judiciary.”
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