The Nigeria Police Force has exonerated lawyer Ademola Owolabi and his client, real estate developer Alex Ochonogor, of all allegations related to document forgery and wilful demolition of property in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
According to a certified investigative report dated June 13, 2025, and signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the General Investigation Section, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Lagos Annex, both individuals were found to have no involvement in any criminal wrongdoing.
The report, reference CB:4099/X/ADM/X/ADM/GI/TA/VOL.6142, was addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police at the CID Annex, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos. It was made available following a petition by the accused parties challenging an earlier report that led to their arraignment.
Ochonogor and Owolabi had been arraigned before a Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square, following allegations of forgery of land documents and demolition of a structure on disputed land in Lekki. Dissatisfied with the initial police findings, they filed a formal complaint alleging biased investigation, abuse of office, and procedural lapses.
Following a reinvestigation, the police report confirmed several key points:
- The Certificate of Occupancy for the land in question (Block 133, Plot 10, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1) was legally issued to Major Hamza Al-Mustapha by the Lagos State Government on July 12, 1994.
- Mr. Ochonogor lawfully became involved with the property in March 2015, through a licensed property agent, Donatus Eze, of Trust Dede and Property Nigeria Limited.
- The demolition carried out on the site was not unlawful. The notice was signed by Engineer Peter Omotosho of Archbond Builders Ltd and Mr. Bode Agoro, a Lagos State government official.
Importantly, the police found that the deed of assignment presented by the complainant, Dr. Obidigwe Eze, lacked the signature of the original titleholders—Major Al-Mustapha and Mr. Abdul Fatai Alao Thomas—indicating that the document in question was likely forged.
The updated investigation report has now been forwarded to the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. As of the time of this report, the DPP has not submitted any recommendations or filed any new materials before the court. The matter has been adjourned to October 13, 2025.
