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Tag: Court

  • Court bars Ogun govt from demolishing Daniel’s residence, hotel

    Court bars Ogun govt from demolishing Daniel’s residence, hotel

    A High Court sitting in Sagamu, Ogun State has issued an interim order restraining the state government and its agents from demolishing or tampering with the property belonging to a former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel.

    The order, granted ex parte, followed an affidavit of urgency filed by the claimants, OGD and wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel.

    Daniel, through his lawyer, A.M. Kotoye SAN, filed motion seeking an ex parte order restraining the defendants, Governor Dapo Abiodun; the Attorney General of Ogun State; Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority and the Ogun State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in three different separate suits from tampering with the Asoludero Court; and a property belonging to Daniel’s wife, in Sagamu, and Conference Hotel and Blue Chapel Limited.

    The former governor and his wife, who were applicants in the suits marked HCS/371/2025; HCS/373/2025 and HCS/372/2025, sought the order of the court restraining the defendants and their agents, allies from demolishing or tampering with Asoludero Court situated on Block 1,Plots 7&8 of Block XXXV111 Plot 1&12, within the amended part of the Government Reservation Area; Daniel’s wife property and Conference Hotel, Sagamu.

    Daniel in the suit claimed that the property has a Certificate of Occupancy with No.LUD3/LR2693, dated 20th January, 2010.

    Counsel to the applicants, Adeyinka Kotoye SAN, moved the motion exparte dated 11th of August and filed on the 11th of August before the Court.

    In the ruling, Justice O.S Oloyede, said the Court needed to take immediate action on the Suits having read all the affidavits in support and affidavits of urgency to intervene in the cases.

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    The court, therefore, issued an exparte interim order restraining the defendants and other agents from tampering any of the properties.

    The suit has been adjourned to August 19, 2025, for the hearing of the application for an interlocutory injunction.

    Daily Trust reports the state government served a quit and demolition notice on Daniel’s private residence and hotels in Sagamu.

    The structures marked are his residence, popularly known as Asoludero court and Conference hotel, its annex, all located at Obafemi Awolowo Avenue GRA, Sagamu.

    Daniel had described the notice as a political persecution by the government, but Abiodun hit back at him, saying the notice was part of a statutory land audit.

    The governor in a statement by his Media Aide, Kayode Akinmade, asked Daniel to submit himself to the law, saying nobody is above the state.

  • Court acquits doctor of cybercrime charges

    Court acquits doctor of cybercrime charges

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed all cybercrime charges filed by the Inspector-General of Police against a female medical doctor, Bolanle Aseyan.

    In a judgment delivered last Friday, Justice Peter Lifu discharged and acquitted Aseyan, ruling that the police failed to prove the essential elements of the alleged offences.

    Aseyan had been arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on defamation, harassment, and intimidation of another medical doctor, Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya, who was said to be her former boyfriend. The charges, filed under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, alleged that she used social media platforms to damage Ogunsanya’s reputation.

    During the trial, the police called three witnesses while Aseyan presented two witnesses in her defence. Justice Lifu noted that the pair were once in a romantic relationship, had sexual relations in the United Kingdom and later made conflicting social media posts against each other.

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    The court held that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond any reasonable doubt, pointing out that the alleged Twitter handle used for the supposed cyberbullying was never tendered as evidence. The judge further found no proof of threats or intimidation, only evidence of a previously affectionate relationship.

    As a result, all four charges were dismissed, and Aseyan was discharged and acquitted. Justice Lifu also ordered the police to immediately return all seized items, including her international passport.

    Aseyan, recounting her side of the story, alleged that she met Ogunsanya online in 2019 and travelled to the UK in 2020, where she claimed she was raped. 

    She alleged that shortly after arriving in Leeds, she was given wine by Ogunsanya, passed out and later woke to find he had allegedly had sex with her without her consent. She also claimed she was maltreated before returning to Nigeria.

  • ‘Maintain status quo in N100m right suit’

    ‘Maintain status quo in N100m right suit’

    Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered status quo in a N100 million right enforcement suit against new Chair of Agbado/Oke-Odo LCDA, Abiodun Ishola (Ejigbadero), police and others.

     Justice Deinde Dipeolu made the order in FHC/L/CS/1146/2025 by A. Odumosu after hearing a motion ex-parte by applicant’s counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor.

    The applicant sought several reliefs, including an order “maintaining status quo and staying all actions pending determination of the substantive suit”. The judge granted them.

    Odumosu seeks N100 million damages against the respondents for his arrest, detention, and further attempts to arrest and detain him.

    He is praying for a perpetual injunction restraining the first to fourth respondents, their agents, servants, and privies from further arresting or detaining him at the instigation of the fifth to seventh respondents over Plot 15, Block 5, Fiyidami Kaseem Street, Magodo Phase 1, Isheri, Lagos State.

    Police Service Commission, Inspector-General of Police, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex Alagbon Close, Ikoyi; CSP Lasisi Babatunde; ASP Salihu Kadiri, Investigating Police Officer, FCID Annex, Alagbon Close; Akande Olukayode, Samuel Adebowale and the LCDA chair are respondents.

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    The applicant is praying for a declaration that any further attempt to arrest and detain him following his previous arrest on May 20 by first to fourth respondents at the instigation of fifth to seventh constitutes a violation of his fundamental rights.

    He said there was a plot to arrest him based on a misleading claim of ownership of his property—purportedly sold to the fifth to seventh respondents by Mr. Oluseyi Adebayo and notwithstanding the pendency of charge MIK/X/27/2025 (COP v. Akande Adeolu Olukayode) before the Magistrate Court of Lagos State, Ogba Magisterial District.

    He urged the court to hold that such a further attempt constitutes a violation of his fundamental right under Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and is therefore illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null, void, and of no effect.

    He also seeks an order directing the respondents to apologise to him in a newspaper within one week of the judgment.

    Justice Dipeolu adjourned till October 22.

  • Lagos family duly served by court, says lawyer

    Lagos family duly served by court, says lawyer

    The Mabudeje family of Agbowa-Ikosi, Lagos State has debunked claims by the Aduloju family that they were not served notice of an appeal on the kingship, which the Court of Appeal ruled that they lost.

    The Appeal Court in its judgment No: CA/LAG/CV/1104/2023 delivered by Justices of the Court of Appeal; Muhammed Mustapha, Paul Ahmed Bassi and Ngozika Uwazurunonye Okaisabor dated May 30, 2025, had removed Oba Saheed Momson, who was produced by Aduloju family.

    But, a report, the Aduloju had denied being served the notice of the appeal and kicked the judgment.

    However, Prince Lateef Kunle, the legal representative of the Mabudeje family, who won the case, in a statement insisted that they the Aduloju family were served. He said the Aduloju, however, ‘’failed to appear after being served numerous times seeking to set aside the judgment, file stay of execution to buy time to a stool that does not belong to him or his forebears and re-instate him as the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi (attesting to his sack as the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi) pending the determination of his application, citing non-service of Notice of Appeal nor notified of the hearing by the appellants.’’

    He said the Aduloju family, which Oba Momson, does not hail from the Mabudeje Royal Family, ‘’a fact known to all in the community. The records are there’’, adding that Momson and his backers were out to deceive the state government. He insisted that Oba Momson was not entitled to the throne.

     He wondered why Oba Momson would claim not be served the Notice of Appeal nor notified of the hearing by the appellants in a case that the Lagos State Governor, state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs were present.

    Kunle added: “The Mabudeje Royal Family of Agbowa-Ikosi would not really like to delve much on his alibi and prayers in his motion for legal purpose.

    He reiterated that “the judgment of the Court of Appeal via Court of Appeal No: CA/LAG/CU/1104/2023 set aside the judgment of the lower court, also granted that the claimant (Mabudeje family) are entitled to the immediate right to fill the vacant stool of the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi and an order compelling the first-fifth defendants to call for the claimants’ nominee for the vacant stool of Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi and install the nominee as the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi, Lagos State and whereby has notified him not to parade himself as Óba Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi anymore.

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    “The keywords in the judgment are ‘vacant stool’ and ‘the installation of the nominee of the claimants’ with immediate effect. Hence, the need to reiterate that the leadership of Agbowa-Ikosi town lies with High Chief Wasiu Asodun, Oluwo of Agbowa-Ikosi, and Regent of Agbowa-Ikosi, and for government institutions to accord him necessary respects, recognition and perks of office as the Regent pending the installation of the rightful nominee of the Mabudeje Royal Family, who is ready to present their sole candidate for the revered stool while awaiting the relevant papers from the Lagos State Government and Ikosi-Ejinrin Local Council Development Area (LCDA), requesting for our nominee for the sake of equity, fairness and justice.

     “Law is never based on sentiment nor whims and caprices.They cannot create legality out of illegality. The long arm of the law has really caught up with them.

     “A sitting king was removed in Igboye, Epe, Lagos State and hell was not let loose. Instead, the community has moved on and rally round their new king heralding a new dawn.

    This new phase shall pass and Agbowa-Ikosi will come out unscathed from this as well.

    “The 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration of Lagos State Government is very explicit in mentioning Mabudeje Royal Family as the fourth ruling house in Agbowa-Ikosi and affirmed that we came from Ijebu-Ode just as the fifth ruling house the Ogunalade-Ogunja was also said to come from Odo-Onosa.’’

  • Court orders interim forfeiture of Lagos property over N986m diesel fraud

    Court orders interim forfeiture of Lagos property over N986m diesel fraud

    Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the interim forfeiture of a property located at No. 29 Oyindamola Shogbesan Street, Park View Estate, Ago Palace Way, Lagos, over its alleged link to a N986 million diesel supply fraud.

    The order, granted followed a motion ex-parte filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, C.C. Okezie.

    The application, brought pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act and Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), sought to preserve the property pending the determination of a motion for its final forfeiture.

    According to the EFCC, the property was allegedly acquired using proceeds from a fraudulent transaction involving the supply of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.

    In her submission, Okezie informed the court that the EFCC received a petition in May 2024 from one Prince Chukwulota Benneth Onuoha and two companies — G3 Solid Farms & Agro Allied Industries and Bohr Energy Limited — alleging that they were defrauded by Mrs. Hannah Ify Nwaguzor, Ajayi Edward Olushola, and others.

    The petitioners were introduced to the suspects by one Irene Abidemi and subsequently transferred a total of N986 million to Mozann Global Merchants Limited on May 14 and 15, 2024, for the supply of diesel. However, the product was never delivered.

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    Further investigations revealed that N500 million out of the total sum was traced to Hola Jayu Nigeria Limited. From that amount, N261 million was allegedly paid to one Orobosa Michael Ubogu for the purchase of the Lagos property in question.

    An affidavit deposed to by Waziri Abdullahi, an EFCC investigating officer, stated that the funds used in acquiring the property were “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.”

    In her written address, Okezie argued that the interim forfeiture was necessary as a preventive measure to safeguard assets suspected to be proceeds of crime.

    Granting the application, Justice Dipeolu ordered the interim forfeiture of the property and directed that the order be published in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to show cause within 14 days why the property should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

    The case was adjourned to September 2, 2025, for hearing on the motion for final forfeiture.

  • Court remands eight in SDP secretariat burglary case

    Court remands eight in SDP secretariat burglary case

    A Magistrate’s Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered the remand of eight suspects linked to the recent burglary of the national secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The suspects, comprising seven men and one woman, have been sent to Keffi, Kuje, and Suleja correctional centres pending further hearings.

    The SDP secretariat, located in Abuja, was invaded on Monday, July 28, by individuals alleged to be acting on behalf of unnamed political interests. During the break-in, critical documents, including administrative files, payment vouchers, official stamps, bank records, and various office equipment, were carted away.

    In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the suspects were apprehended by the FCT Police Command and initially detained at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) before being arraigned before Magistrate’s Courts in Kuje and Karu on July 29 and 31.

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    Those charged include Ambo Ekpenyong, Humphrey Onwukaeze, Eluwa Ifeanyi Henry, Chief Solsuema Osaro, Nurudeen Bissallah, Dogara Abubakar, Adamu Abubakar Modibbo, and Judith Isreal Shuaibu.

    According to the SDP spokesperson, the police prosecution team presented recovered materials from the suspects as evidence during their arraignment.

     Aiyenigba further alleged that former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, made attempts to secure bail for the accused persons, but those efforts were unsuccessful.

    “All the eight invaders were detained in police custody and charged to court on Tuesday and Thursday, July 29 and 31, respectively. The materials recovered from them were tendered in court by the police prosecution team,” Aiyenigba said.

    The case is expected to resume soon as the courts set dates for full hearings.

  • JUST IN: Court sentences killer of Ilorin final-year student

    JUST IN: Court sentences killer of Ilorin final-year student

    The Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has sentenced Abdulrahman Bello to death by hanging for the brutal murder of Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student of the College of Education, Ilorin.

    Delivering the judgment on Thursday, Justice Hannah Ajayi found Bello guilty of luring Hafsoh to his residence under false pretences before killing and dismembering her for alleged money rituals and trafficking in human body parts.

    Describing the crime as “cruel, wicked, and an extreme display of human wickedness,” the judge dismissed Bello’s claims that he loved the victim and intended to marry her, labelling them as fabricated lies used to deceive and trap her.

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    The offence occurred on February 10, 2025, at the Olunlade area in Ilorin, where Bello reportedly invited Hafsoh to his home, had sex with her, and then murdered her.

    While Bello was convicted and handed the death penalty, four other defendants—Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Jamiu Uthman, Suleiman Muyideen, and Abdulrahman Jamiu—were discharged and acquitted for lack of evidence linking them to the crime.

    Justice Ajayi ordered their immediate release.

  • $9.5m FX dispute: Court discharges mareva injunction against firm

    $9.5m FX dispute: Court discharges mareva injunction against firm

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has discharged an ex-parte order and the consequent Mareva Injunction served on the Deposit Money Banks(DMB), against Kam Industries Nigeria Limited over an alleged $9.5 million trade finance dispute with Ecobank Nigeria Plc.

    The court discharged the injunction on the grounds that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), being a necessary party, was not joined in the suit.

    Justice Daniel Osiagor held that both parties mutually acknowledged the critical role of the CBN in the transaction and that any judgment rendered without its participation would be incomplete.

    The court also directed that the N1.5 billion be ring-fenced inside the bank account of Kam Industries as security pending the final determination of the substantive suit.

     “On the agreement of the parties, the ex-parte order is hereby discharged, and the assets of the company are not to be dissipated or transacted with,” Justice Osiagor ruled.

    “The sum of N1,500,000,000.00 is hereby ring-fenced in the Fidelity account of the defendants as security for the case.”

    The court also struck out Polaris Bank as a party to the suit and adjourned further proceedings to January 26, 2026.

    The initial Mareva injunction, which was granted on October 7, 2024, in favour of Ecobank under the ex parte order, no longer exists.

    The order restrained 25 licensed Nigerian banks and financial institutions from releasing or granting access to the defendants’ funds, shares, bonds, letters of credit, promissory notes, bills of lading, and other negotiable instruments, covering amounts equivalent to N3,000,681,722.97 and $6,824,638.75.

    Besides Kam Industries Nigeria Limited, other defendants in the suit include its Chairman, Dr. Kamoru Yusuf, and Kamsteel Integrated Company Limited.

    Ecobank instituted the suit, marked FHC/L/CS/1748/2024, via an originating summons dated September 27, 2024.

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    The bank sought a declaration that it is entitled to judgment for the outstanding balance of the facility—allegedly N3 billion and $6.8 million—based on the defendants’ alleged breach of loan terms.

    It prayed the court to vest all assets belonging to the second and third defendants—Dr. Yusuf and Kamsteel, as part of the debt recovery process, citing the execution of both personal and corporate guarantees in respect of the credit facility.

    Ecobank asked the court to enter judgment against all three defendants for the alleged indebtedness and to vest in the bank all assets, cash, bonds, real estate, stocks, and negotiable instruments held by the defendants in any financial institution in Nigeria or abroad until full satisfaction of the debt.

    The bank’s claims were backed by a 43-paragraph affidavit, 14 exhibits, and a written address.

    Ecobank stated that the $9.5 million facility included a factory charge of $634,688.75 and an accrued debt of over N3 billion as of July 9, 2024.

    However, the defendants contested the claims.

    Justice Osiagor noted that both sides agreed on the involvement of the CBN in the foreign exchange transaction that is the crux of the dispute.

    The court held that the Central Bank is a necessary party or, at a minimum, a vital witness for a comprehensive adjudication.

    “The mutual recognition of the CBN’s role makes it essential for the court to understand the full scope of the bank’s involvement,” the judge stated, reiterating that any judgment without such clarity would be deficient.

  • Man remanded for impersonating Epe monarch, forging Supreme Court ruling

    Man remanded for impersonating Epe monarch, forging Supreme Court ruling

    A man, Musiliu Musa Awoga a.k.a. Ajingolo, has been remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for parading and impersonating  the Orijeru of Igbooye  Kingdom, Epe and forging Supreme Court of Nigeria ruling.

    Awoga , 1st defenfant, was remanded alongside three others , Olamilekan Awoga, Hassan Adefala and Moses Awoga (2nd to 4th defendants)  after they pleaded not guilty to a 13-count charge bordering on  forgery, impersonation, breach of peace and assault of police officers among other charges brought against them by the Lagos State government.

     Chief Magistrate Jimoh Adefioye  of an Oshodi Chief Magistrate Court  sitting at the Lagos Task Force office ordered their remand after the defendants had taken their plea.

    Awoga pleaded not guilty to 11 charges while others also entered not-guilty plea in respect of  seven charges brought against them.

    Prosecuting counsel, Mr. O.A. Adekunle who appeared with Omotunde Airat, told the court that the defendants and others still at large on June 14, 2025 at their house at Igbooye , Eredo, Epe forged Supreme Court ruling in suit SC/CV/969/2020, the letter head paper of Eredo, Epe Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and the signature of the Chairman of the LCDA, Hon. Ismail Akinloye.

    The prosecuting team also told the court that Musiliu Awoga ,impersonated the Igbooye monarch, Oba AbdulRasak Musa referring to himself  as Orijeru of Igbooye, Awujale of Ijebu-Eko, an unknown stool  or chieftaincy contrary to section 34 of the Obas and Chieftaincy Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The first defendant , while not being an Oba, was accused of wearing a beaded crown and held a beaded Staff of Office described as Oba Orijeru of Igbooye contrary to provisions of the Obas and Chieftaincy Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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    The first defendant was further alleged to have printed a banner  in which he wore a beaded crown with a beaded staff and printed invitation cards in which he described himself  as Oba-elect, Orijeru of Igbooye, Awujale of Ijebu-Eko.

    The 1st to 4th defendants pleaded not guilty to the 13 charges against them.

    Following their not guilty plea, the prosecuting team, Adekunle and Omotunde told the court that the Director, Directorate of Public Prosecution(DPP) had directed that the case file be forwarded to the department for legal advice as investigation was still on going.

    The prosecution subsequently prayed the court to remand the defendants pending legal advice.

    Chief Magistrate Adefioye granted their prayers and ordered the remand of the defendants in custody of the NCoS.

    The case has been adjourned to September 8 for DPP advice.

  • Court restrains Okpere, Raybok Development over N206m Lekki property

    Court restrains Okpere, Raybok Development over N206m Lekki property

    The Lagos High Court in Ikorodu has issued an injunction restraining a real estate developer and associated parties from taking any further action on a disputed property in Lekki Phase 1.

    It follows a heated contract dispute involving over N200 million in off-plan investment.

    The injunction is against Mr. Raymond Irabor Okpere and his company, Raybok Development and Construction Company Limited, regarding the property valued at N206 million.

    The court’s decision came after Mr. A.A. Sanda, the buyer, sought urgent judicial protection to prevent what he described as an imminent threat to his interest in a four-bedroom (cornerpiece unit) terrace duplex with a maid’s quarters located in Blockville Estate, Off Freedom Way, Lekki.

    According to documents presented to the court, the buyer entered into a contract in early 2024 with Raybok Development and Construction Company Limited and its CEO, Mr. Raymond Irabor Okpere, for the purchase of the luxury unit.

    The project, developed under a joint venture with a third party, was part of a larger residential scheme on land registered in the Elegushi Royal Family area of Lekki Phase 1 Extension.

    The buyer alleged that after making a down payment of over N61 million and paying up to N136 million in total by March 2025, the developers suddenly reportedly issued a termination notice.

    Claiming full compliance with all contractual terms, the buyer stated that he had made significant financial sacrifices to meet his payment obligations, including taking loans, selling assets, and liquidating shares.

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    He also expressed concern that the developers were planning to resell the property to third parties, a move he argued would cause him irreparable harm.

    In its ruling, the court held that the buyer had demonstrated a valid legal interest in the property and that there was a credible risk of that interest being extinguished if urgent protective relief was not granted.

    The interim injunction order now bars the developer, the company, and the landowner from selling, reallocating, or further developing the specific unit in question, pending the outcome of the hearing of the substantive case between the parties.

    Legal experts say the case highlights growing risks in Nigeria’s off-plan property market, where buyers frequently face shifting terms, unclear project governance, and contract disputes—often with little recourse if proper legal protections are not in place.