Two lawyers and a property developer have been arraigned before the Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square over their alleged involvement in a land fraud scheme and illegal demolition of a residential building in the highbrow Lekki area of Lagos.
The defendants — Ademola Owolabi, Adebayo Akeju, and Alex Ochonogor — were brought before Justice Serifat Sonaike on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and unlawful property destruction. The case was filed by the Lagos State Government under suit number LD/23611C/2024.
According to the prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, the accused persons allegedly conspired in 2015 to forge an affidavit of loss and a fake demolition notice, purportedly from the Lagos State Lands Bureau. These documents were used to fraudulently claim that a Certificate of Occupancy issued to a third party was missing.
The forged materials, the prosecution added, were allegedly used to unlawfully demolish a residential bungalow located at Plot 10, Block 133, Lekki Peninsula Residential Scheme 1, said to belong to Dr. Obidigwe Eze, a Nigerian based abroad.
The alleged offences contravene provisions of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2015, specifically Sections 411 (conspiracy), 361(1) (forgery), and 350 (malicious damage to property).
All three defendants pleaded not guilty.
During the proceedings, their respective counsel sought bail. Counsel for Owolabi, Dr. Abiodun Layonu, SAN, argued for leniency, citing his client’s clean record and professional standing. Representing Akeju, M. Bashua, SAN, emphasized his client’s deteriorating health and decades-long legal career. Tony Ejere, appearing for Ochonogor, asked the court to maintain the administrative bail granted earlier by the police.
In a bench ruling, Justice Sonaike granted bail to Owolabi and Akeju on self-recognizance, provided they each submit:
A ₦5 million bail bond within 14 days
Their Call to Bar certificates to the court registrar
An affidavit of compliance within 21 days
Ochonogor was granted bail in the sum of ₦10 million, with two sureties in like amount.
The case has been adjourned to October 13, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
