The Lagos State Government has arraigned two lawyers, Ademola Owolabi and Adebayo Akeju, alongside a real estate developer, Alex Ochonogor, before the Lagos High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square, over alleged conspiracy, forgery, and unlawful demolition of property.
The three defendants were brought before Justice Serifat Sonaike on a five-count charge marked LD/23611C/2024. They pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to the prosecution, the defendants conspired to forge a memorandum of loss and falsely claimed that a Certificate of Occupancy originally issued to one Hamza Al-Mustapha was missing. They allegedly used the forged document to facilitate the demolition of a bungalow located at Plot 10, Block 133, Lekki Peninsula Residential Scheme 1, allegedly owned by a Nigerian in the diaspora, Dr. Obidigwe Eze.
The alleged offences, which reportedly took place in 2015, are in contravention of Sections 411, 361(1), and 350 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
Following their not guilty plea, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) sought a trial date, while defence counsels — Dr. Abiodun Layonu (SAN), M.A. Bashua (SAN), and Tony Ejere — urged the court to grant their clients bail on liberal terms, arguing that they are responsible citizens.
Justice Sonaike granted bail to Owolabi and Akeju on self-recognisance, but ordered that each must submit a N5 million bail bond within 14 days, deposit their Call to Bar certificates with the court registrar, and file an affidavit of compliance within 21 days.
For Ochonogor, the court set bail at N10 million with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must provide affidavits of means and show evidence of three years’ tax clearance issued by the Lagos State Government.
The case was adjourned to October 13 for trial.
