Widow of Obasanjo’s Ex-ADC Accuses Son, Police of Home Invasion

Safiya Mamman-Jemitola, the widow of retired Major General Chris Jemitola—former aide-de-camp (ADC) to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo—has accused police officers and unidentified hoodlums of storming her Abuja residence, smashing security doors under the pretext of serving court documents.

In emotional posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday evening, December 22, 2025, Mamman-Jemitola claimed the intruders, allegedly led by her late husband’s son, Caleb Jemitola, included officers from the Nigeria Police Force’s Force Intelligence Department (FID) and Joint Police Unit (JPU). She shared CCTV footage and videos capturing the men forcing open her front gate and doors without proper identification.

“They broke down my gate, front door, and other security doors leading to my matrimonial home,” she wrote. “This is the fourth time policemen are being used to harass and intimidate me. My life has been under threat by Mr. Caleb Jemitola and his accomplices, as well as men from the Nigeria Police.”

The incident unfolds amid a bitter family dispute over the estate of Chris Jemitola, who died suddenly in February 2025 after collapsing at the IBB Golf Club in Asokoro, Abuja. The retired army officer, who served as Obasanjo’s ADC from 2003 to 2007 while a colonel and later as Director of Army Public Relations, left behind a contested property portfolio.

Background on the Family Feud

Public records and social media threads reveal escalating tensions since Jemitola’s death. Mamman-Jemitola has repeatedly alleged that Caleb Jemitola, her stepson, has used legal and extra-legal means to seize control of family assets, including the Abuja home. In earlier X posts, she described previous police visits and threats, framing them as intimidation tactics.

Caleb Jemitola could not be reached for comment as of press time, and the Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) has yet to respond publicly to her tags. A spokesperson for the FCT Police Command declined immediate comment, citing an ongoing investigation.

Court filings accessed via Nigeria’s judiciary portal confirm a probate case in the FCT High Court involving Jemitola’s estate, with service of processes listed as a point of contention. No hearing date for the invasion claims has been scheduled.

Jemitola’s Distinguished Service

Chris Jemitola’s career highlighted his proximity to power. As Obasanjo’s ADC during his 2003-2007 civilian presidency, he managed the former leader’s security detail. Post-retirement, he held key roles in military communications. Tributes from colleagues, including Obasanjo’s media team, poured in after his death, praising his loyalty and professionalism.

Obasanjo himself issued a condolence message in February 2025, calling Jemitola “a dedicated patriot.”

Public Reaction and Police Accountability

Mamman-Jemitola’s videos, viewed over 50,000 times on X by Tuesday morning, have sparked outrage online. Activists and women’s rights groups, including the Nigeria chapter of #EndPoliceBrutality, condemned the alleged misuse of police for private disputes. “Serving court papers shouldn’t require breaking doors—especially not on a grieving widow,” one commenter noted.

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Legal experts say such actions, if proven, violate the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which mandates minimal force for civil process service. The incident echoes broader concerns over police overreach in Nigeria, amid reforms pushed by Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun.

As the story develops, Mamman-Jemitola urged authorities to intervene: “To the Nigeria Police @PoliceNG, how many of your men are required to serve a widow who has not had a moment’s rest to grieve?”

The FCT Police have promised a statement, while the case tests protocols on estate disputes involving high-profile families.