Possessed: A History Of Law & Justice in the Crown Colony of Lagos 1861-1906

The Crown Colony of Lagos uncovers the hidden history of how Britain took possession of Lagos and turned it into the foundation of its West African empire. Beginning with the controversial annexation in 1861–1862, this book traces how the British Navy, colonial officers, and local collaborators imposed control through force, coercion, and the manipulation of “law and justice.”

Drawing on rare documents, testimonies, court records, and enquiry papers, the book reveals the untold story of resistance and survival. From 1851 to 1906, Lagos Africans, both individuals and communities fought bravely to resist domination, preserve their dignity, and later, to survive the consequences of foreign rule. Their courage and defiance illuminate a different side of history, challenging the narrative of colonial benevolence.

This compelling account shows how the possession of Lagos set off a chain of events: its transformation into a Crown Colony, its amalgamation with the Southern Protectorate, and ultimately, the 1914 union with Northern Nigeria. In vivid detail, the book explains how Britain’s imperial project relied not only on military might but also on the strategic use of courts, laws, and pseudo-justice to entrench its power.

A revealing work of historical nonfiction, The Crown Colony of Lagos offers readers a deeper understanding of colonialism in Nigeria, its methods, its impact, and the legacy it left behind.