Two lawyers, Ademola Owolabi and Adebayo Akeju, along with a property developer, Alex Ochonogor, have been taken to court over an illegal land transaction in Lekki, Lagos.
They appeared before Justice Serifat Sonaike at the Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square. The Lagos State Government filed a five-count charge against them under case number LD/23611C/2024.
The charges include conspiracy, forgery, and unlawful demolition of a house. The state’s Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins, said the trio conspired to forge official documents, including an affidavit and a demolition notice from the Lagos State Lands Bureau. These documents were allegedly used to falsely claim that a Certificate of Occupancy belonging to Hamza Al-Mustapha was missing.
They are also accused of forging a memorandum of loss and demolishing a bungalow at Plot 10, Block 133, Lekki Peninsula Residential Scheme 1. This property reportedly belongs to Dr. Obidigwe Eze, a Nigerian living abroad. The offences allegedly took place in 2015 and violate Lagos State Criminal Law sections 411, 361(1), and 350.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty.
After the pleas, the prosecution requested a trial date. The defence lawyers then asked the court to grant bail to their clients.
Dr. Abiodun Layonu (SAN), representing Owolabi, asked the court to grant his client bail, saying Owolabi is a responsible lawyer with no criminal history. He also offered to stand as surety.
M.A. Bashua (SAN), who represented Akeju, noted that his client has practiced law for 34 years, has no criminal record, and is facing health issues. He called the case a difficult challenge for a lawyer.
Tony Ejere, the lawyer for Ochonogor, admitted that his client is not a lawyer but described him as a responsible citizen. He asked the court to let Ochonogor continue with the bail earlier granted by the police.
Justice Sonaike granted bail to Owolabi and Akeju on self-recognisance. Each must provide a ₦5 million bail bond within 14 days, submit their Call to Bar certificates to the court registrar, and file an affidavit confirming compliance within 21 days.
Ochonogor was granted bail of ₦10 million with two sureties. The sureties must present evidence of income, three years of tax clearance certificates from Lagos State, and have their addresses verified by the court.
Justice Sonaike warned that failure to meet these bail conditions within the set time would result in bail being cancelled and the defendants being sent to prison.
October 13, 2025 has been fixed for the trial to begin
