The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has ordered the police to reopen investigations into an alleged case of forgery and willful property destruction involving real estate developer Alex Ochonogor and his lawyer, Ademola Owolabi, marking a new turn in the long-running Lekki land dispute.
The directive followed a second police report, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Dahiru, which had earlier cleared Ochonogor and Owolabi of all wrongdoing.
In a letter dated August 22, 2025, and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Adeshola Adekunle-Bello, the Ministry instructed the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Ikoyi, to revisit the case, question additional witnesses, and reassess key evidence.
The correspondence, addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, FCID, identified Dr. Obidigwe Eze and Major Hamza Al-Mustapha as crucial witnesses whose statements should be re-evaluated based on new information.
Ochonogor, alongside lawyers Ademola Owolabi and Adebayo Akeju, was recently arraigned before a Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square on charges bordering on forgery of land documents and unlawful demolition of structures in Lekki. They pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.
Dissatisfied with the earlier police findings that led to their indictment, Ochonogor and Owolabi petitioned the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, alleging bias, abuse of power, and a compromised investigation. The petition triggered a fresh probe that exonerated them, concluding that the demolition was officially sanctioned.
According to the most recent police findings, the Lagos State Government issued a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O No. 36/36/1994w) on July 12, 1994, for Block 133, Plot 10, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, to Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, who was then the Chief Security Officer to late Gen. Sani Abacha.
Investigators further revealed that Ochonogor became involved with the property in 2015, after being introduced by estate agent Donatus Eze of Trust Dede and Property Nigeria Limited.
Engineer Peter Omotosho of Archbond Builders Ltd confirmed that the demolition notice for the disputed property was properly issued and published by the Lagos State Government in 2009.
The investigation also found that the deed of assignment presented by the complainant—allegedly signed by Al-Mustapha and Abdul Fatai Alao Thomas—was forged, while the Registrar of Titles verified that the memorandum of loss related to the property was genuine and duly registered.
Justice Serifat Sonaike has adjourned the case until October 13, 2025, for further hearing.
