Two lawyers; Ademola Owolabi and Adebayo Akeju, along with a real estate developer, Alex Ochonogor, have been arraigned before the Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square over alleged forgery and unlawful property demolition in Lekki.
The accused persons were arraigned before the court on Monday, June 16, 2025.
The Lagos State Government filed a five-count charge against the trio, accusing them of conspiracy, forgery, and the willful destruction of property (Suit No. LD/23611C/2024).
The case is being heard by Justice Serifat Sonaike.
According to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, the accused allegedly forged multiple land-related documents, including a demolition notice purportedly from the Governor’s Office and a fake affidavit of loss for a Certificate of Occupancy originally issued to Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha.
The alleged offences took place in 2015 at the 8604 Safe Court Apartments in Ikate, Lekki.
The forged documents were used to justify the illegal demolition of a bungalow at Plot 10, Block 133, Lekki Peninsula Residential Scheme I, said to belong to Dr. Obidigwe Eze, a Nigerian residing abroad.
The prosecution stated that the crimes violate Sections 411, 361(1), and 350 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty.
Defense counsels ; Dr. Abiodun Layonu (SAN), M.A. Bashua (SAN), and Tony Ejere — filed for bail on behalf of their clients, arguing that the accused have no prior criminal records, are legal practitioners of good standing, and are not flight risks.
They also cited health concerns in the case of Akeju.
Justice Sonaike granted bail to the two lawyers on self-recognisance and ordered them to deposit their Call to Bar certificates with the court registrar.
Each was given 14 days to submit a bail bond of ₦5 million and required to file an affidavit of compliance within 21 days.
The developer, Ochonogor, was granted ₦10 million bail with two sureties who must show evidence of income and tax payments for the past three years.
Their addresses, along with those of the defendants, are to be verified by the court registrar.
Ochonogor has seven days to meet the conditions or risk having his bail revoked.
The trial is set to begin on October 13, 2025.
Source – BarristerNG
(Vitalnewsngr.com)
