In a peaceful protest staged on Wednesday, the family accused some officers of the Nigeria Police Force of aiding the invaders in an alleged campaign of intimidation, arrest, and eviction targeting the family and its members. Prince Yussuf Olarinde, the family’s Public Relations Officer, expressed deep frustration, claiming that despite having a valid court judgment backing their ownership, their land has been taken by force.

“The land was lawfully allocated to us by the Federal Government in 1978 as resettlement after the initial acquisition of our ancestral village for public use,” Olarinde explained. “Former Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo, visited our people, promised resettlement, and fulfilled that promise. Fourteen family quarters were constructed and land for farming was allotted. We’ve lived there peacefully for more than three decades.”

He noted that a Lagos High Court judgment had affirmed the family’s ownership, and the verdict had been fully enforced. Yet, in recent years, new individuals emerged, laying claim to the land without any legal backing. According to Olarinde, the newcomers have resorted to deploying hoodlums and leveraging rogue security elements to evict the rightful owners.

“They didn’t go to court to prove their claim. Instead, they’ve used violence. Our homes were looted, vehicles taken, and some of us detained under false accusations. It’s been a sustained campaign of harassment,” he said, adding that a unit of the police, MOPOL 49 Squadron in Epe, was among those allegedly involved in forcibly removing family members from their residences.

The land dispute, he said, dates back to between 2014 and 2016, during which several family members were allegedly arrested on trumped-up charges while the land was seized. “Even I narrowly escaped an assassination attempt recently. It’s a crisis we’ve endured in silence for too long,” he added.

Another member of the family, Zainab Olarinde, spoke emotionally about how the situation had disrupted their lives and education. “One plot here is worth over N40 million. That’s why they’re after it. We’ve lost homes and now our education is at risk because of the financial strain.”

The family said it had written several petitions to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos Attorney-General’s office, and the State House of Assembly, but no formal response had been received. They called on the governor and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and ensure justice is served.

When reached for comment, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, said he was not aware of the incident. Meanwhile, calls to the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, were not answered, and a message sent to him had not been returned as of press time.

The Olarinde family insists it will continue to seek legal and peaceful redress but urges the government to protect them from what they describe as organized land banditry threatening their safety and ancestral heritage.

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The judge gave the order during a hearing on a suit filed by Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited, which is contesting the alleged encroachment and control of the estate. The court specifically warned the third and fourth defendants not to interfere with the disputed land until the matter is concluded.

“This court hereby directs that all parties, especially the 3rd and 4th defendants, maintain the status quo pending the final determination of this suit,” the judge ruled. The case was adjourned to October 27 for further hearing.

The court also approved a request by Jonah Capital’s counsel to amend the name of the first defendant to reflect the Registered Trustees of Dunamis International Church, replacing an earlier misidentification.

Outside the courtroom, the claimant’s legal representative explained, “This amendment aligns with legal procedure and ensures that the correct party is named in the dispute.”

Meanwhile, Dunamis Church, listed among the defendants, denied encroaching on any property, stating that the land it occupies was lawfully allocated. “We have not violated any boundary,” the church’s lawyer said. “The court’s order to maintain the status quo has been in place since January, and we are in full compliance.”

The dispute over River Park Estate, a large residential development off Abuja’s Airport Road, has triggered parallel criminal investigations. Police have charged three Ghanaians—Sam Jonah, Kojo Ansah, and Victor Quainoo—alongside Nigerian lawyer Abu Arome and Mobus Property Nigeria Ltd. for allegedly forging documents and unlawfully assuming control of the estate’s managing firms.

According to the charges, the suspects manipulated corporate records to allocate 99 million shares to themselves using falsified documents and forged signatures, aiming to seize over 500 hectares of land.

“The defendants misrepresented themselves as Nigerian citizens and submitted forged documents to the Corporate Affairs Commission,” said prosecution counsel, who emphasized the gravity of the offenses.

The case, which intertwines civil claims and criminal charges, continues to draw attention amid concerns over land fraud and property rights in Nigeria’s capital.

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Okonkwo, the founder of Dream Court and Capital Gardens Limited, approached the Lagos State High Court with claims that Oladapo breached multiple contractual agreements and revoked titles unilaterally—moves that he says have jeopardized his business and credibility in the property market.

The dispute reportedly began in 2020, when Okonkwo purchased five hectares of land on Hampton Island, Lagos. Although the full payment was concluded by 2021, development work stalled the following year. When activities resumed, Okonkwo claims Oladapo insisted on a fresh payment—20% of the land’s value—citing inflation, a demand he eventually agreed to under pressure.

Despite this, matters took a darker turn in 2024 when Okonkwo discovered that his allocation had been reduced to four hectares, situated in an undeveloped, water-logged portion of the estate—allegedly contrary to their earlier agreement. By February 2025, he said his title was revoked, and Oretol not only filed a lawsuit against him but began reselling the disputed land to other buyers.

This isn’t the only property under contention.

Okonkwo said he paid ₦500 million in 2020 for a parcel of land on Banana Island, later increasing the investment by ₦283 million. However, legal questions over the property’s title led to a resale reversal in 2024, forcing him to refund the buyer. In another transaction, Okonkwo acquired 1.5 hectares at Hampton Harbour in a deal worth ₦1.8 billion, financed by Union Bank. Despite payment, he claims no title has been issued to date.

In a heartfelt public message, Okonkwo spoke of his personal journey—rising from Alagomeji to build a leading real estate brand over 24 years. He described the ordeal as a heavy emotional and financial burden, calling on supporters for prayers as he seeks justice.

In response, Oretol Nigeria Limited denied all accusations. The company maintains that Capital Gardens was fully briefed on the estate layout, which covers approximately 39 to 40 hectares, and that all investors received appropriate allocations with individualized survey plans.

Oretol also dismissed suggestions that it violated any agreements or sold land under legal restriction, asserting that no properties under court injunction have been marketed or transferred.

As the legal battle unfolds, many within the real estate community are watching closely. Observers see the outcome as a potential turning point for how land deals are structured, enforced, and protected in Nigeria.

For Dr. Okonkwo, the case is more than a legal tussle—it may determine the legacy of a company built on grit, determination, and an enduring belief in the Nigerian real estate promise.

The post Real Estate Mogul Kennedy Okonkwo Drags Oretol to Court Over ₦1.8 Billion Land Deal Breakdown appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The December 30, 2024, Mareva order also sought to prevent Mr Obaigbena from moving any assets linked to him from the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. First Bank had filed a debt-recovery suit against Mr Obaigbena and his family members, including Efe Damilola Obaigbena and Olabisi Eka Obaigbena, saying they used their oil servicing firm General Hydrocarbons Limited to assume debt of about $718 million.

At least $225 million had been frozen in bank accounts run by the Obaigbenas as part of the order, which was issued by Justice Deinde Dipeolu in suit FHC/L/CS/2378/2024.

The judge also said all banks licensed to do business in Nigeria should immediately seize all financial transactions to the Obaigbenas and laundry of businesses linked to them.

Mr Obaigbena did not return a request seeking comments about the order on Thursday evening.

But a source close to the THISDAY and Arise TV boss shared a letter from his lawyers with Peoples Gazette, which narrated how the issue began and why First Bank executives are at risk of contempt of court.

In the January 9, 2025, letter from their lawyers Abiodun Layonu & Co., the Obaigbenas argued that First Bank was trying to force them to take responsibility for up to $718 million in delinquent loans against Atlantic Energy.

The lawyers warned First Bank of “grave legal implications” for going to another judge to obtain the Mareva order when a separate federal judge already had a previous injunction prohibiting any actions against the Obaigbenas over the dispute.

The lawyers cited a December 12, 2024, judgement by Justice Lewis Allagoa of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, which “unequivocally and emphatically restrained First Bank from taking any steps whatsoever to enforce any security, receivables, instrument, financial documents or assets of our clients pending the hearing and determination of the ongoing arbitration proceeding between our client and the FBN.”

The firm said First Bank knew of the judgment before approaching another judge for an ex-parte order without disclosing the prior judgment, which they suggested was unethical and illegal.

A spokesman for First Bank and chairman Femi Otedola did not immediately return a request seeking comments from The Gazette about whether or not they’ve received the letter from lawyers to the Obaigbenas.

In a separate petition to CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso last year, Mr Obaigbena said he helped save First Bank from imminent collapse in 2021 when he used the resources from OML 120 oil block he secured under President Muhammadu Buhari to elevate the company’s fortunes from declaring N161 billion loss to announcing N151 billion in profits for the year ended December 31, 2021.

“We have been left with no choice but to go to court and arbitration to preserve our fundamental rights and our rights under the agreements in the face of FBN’s attempts to clubber and bully us out of existence,” Mr Obaigbena said in the November 7, 2024, complaint.

SOURCE: Gazettengr.com

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In the judgement, delivered on September 23, the court found that the revocation of Ize-Iyamu’s land rights was unconstitutional and violated the Land Use Act. The case, brought forward by Ize-Iyamu and I.O. Farms Limited, challenged the legality of the government’s actions, which took place on July 7, 2021, and were publicized in the Vanguard newspaper.

The court also awarded Ize-Iyamu N5 million in general damages, stating that the actions of the Edo State Governor, the Attorney General, and the Edo State Geographic Information Service amounted to trespass when they encroached on his land without proper legal backing.

Furthermore, the court issued a perpetual injunction, preventing the government and its agents from further interfering with Ize-Iyamu’s land.

The ruling not only nullifies the government’s revocation but also emphasizes the importance of following due process in land matters.

The post Court Nullifies Edo Government’s Revocation of Ize-Iyamu’s Land Certificate appeared first on Housing TV Africa.