By Adenike Lawal
Drama unfolded at the Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square yesterday as the much-anticipated arraignment of two lawyers and a property developer was abruptly postponed following a medical emergency involving one of the accused.
Adebayo Akeju of Adon Partners, Ademola Owolabi of Ademola Adetokunbo and Co., and real estate investor Alex Ochonogor are facing five criminal counts, including forgery and unlawful demolition.
The Lagos State Government alleges the trio forged key land documents to justify the illegal demolition of a property in the elite Lekki Peninsula Residential Scheme I.
Prosecutors claim the accused conspired as far back as 2015 to falsify an affidavit of loss and a demolition notice, allegedly from the Lagos State Lands Bureau, to target a property belonging to Nigerian diaspora resident Dr. Obidigwe Eze.
The forgery reportedly involved claims that a Certificate of Occupancy tied to one Hamza Al-Mustapha had gone missing.
However, proceedings were halted after Ochonogor’s lawyer told the court his client had been hospitalized at Lagoon Hospital earlier that day.
Prosecuting counsel, Dr. Babajide Martins, did not oppose the delay, stating, “The defendant needs to be alive to stand trial.”
Justice Serifat Sonaike adjourned the hearing, ordering that all filings be concluded before the next court date and mandating Ochonogor’s presence for arraignment.
Meanwhile, tempers flared outside the courtroom as a Guardian photojournalist, Ayodele Adeniran, was reportedly assaulted by one of the defendants while attempting to take photographs.
The altercation ended only after it was confirmed that no images had been captured.
As the case unfolds, public interest continues to build, fueled by the high-profile names and the explosive allegations at its center.
