EFCC service failure stalls ₦152m Lagos Luxury property dispute

By Akin Kuponiyi

Proceedings in a ₦152 million property dispute before a Lagos High Court in Osborne, Ikoyi, were on Monday adjourned until April 22, 2026, following the failure of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to serve its final written address on parties.

The suit involves two luxury apartments in Victoria Island and is between Lagos businessman Olukayode Olusanya and Nigerian-American engineer Anthony Ugbebor.

The case, filed by Olusanya and his firm, Oak Homes Limited, centres on alleged trespass on two second-floor apartments at No. 14A Musa Yar’Adua Street, Victoria Island.

At the resumed hearing before Justice Akingbola George, counsel to the claimant, Benson Nwosu, told the court that the matter was scheduled for adoption of final written addresses.

He stated that while the claimant had received the first defendant’s processes and filed a reply, the EFCC had not served its address.

Nwosu added that attempts to serve the Commission at its Awolowo Road office in Ikoyi were unsuccessful, as officials at the gate allegedly refused to accept the documents.

Responding, EFCC counsel, E.S. Okongbu, confirmed that the Commission filed its final written address dated March 4, 2026, and apologised for not serving it in line with the court’s directive.

Justice George subsequently directed the EFCC to immediately serve its processes on all parties and adjourned the matter to April 22, 2026, for adoption of final written addresses.

Earlier in the proceedings, an EFCC operative, Emmanuel Adide, had testified that the Commission was not instructed by Ugbebor to recover funds from the claimant, stressing that the agency “is not a debt recovery agency.”

He said the petition before the EFCC alleged criminal breach of trust and obtaining by false pretence, which led to an investigation.

However, the Commission later determined the matter to be civil and advised the claimant to retrieve previously submitted bank drafts.

Adide further stated that although discussions were held regarding a refund, there was no agreement to sell the disputed apartments to facilitate repayment, noting that enforcing such a sale would be improper.

The witness also confirmed that Olusanya was initially detained when he visited the EFCC office in Abuja but was later granted bail.

He added that the refund arrangement was not reached while the claimant was in custody.

According to him, the claimant paid a total of ₦102 million in instalments through bank drafts, although he could not recall the number of tranches.

Under cross-examination, Adide maintained that there was no written request from Ugbebor asking the EFCC to recover funds, reiterating that the Commission’s role was limited to investigating allegations of fraud.

The matter is now set for final addresses, subject to compliance with the court’s directive on service.