The hearing for the adoption of final written addresses in a property dispute involving two luxury apartments in Victoria Island, Lagos, worth N152 million, was postponed on Monday.
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The delay occurred because the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission failed to serve its final written address to the parties, in violation of a court order.
The suit, filed by property developer Olukayode Olusanya and his firm, Oak Homes Limited, against Nigerian-American engineer, Anthony Ugbebor, bordering on alleged trespass on two second-floor apartments located at 14A, Musa Yar’Adua Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
At the resumed hearing of the case before Justice Akingbola George of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Osborne, counsel to the claimant, Benson Nwosu, told the court that the matter was fixed for the adoption of final written addresses.
However, he said the process could not go on because the EFCC had not served its address on the parties.
“While we have received the first defendant’s processes and filed a reply, the EFCC has not served its final written address on us,” Nwosu stated.
He further informed the court that attempts to serve the commission at its Awolowo Road, Ikoyi office were unsuccessful.
“Officials at the gate declined to accept service of the documents,” he added.
Responding, EFCC counsel, E.S. Okongbu, confirmed that the commission had filed its final written address dated March 4, 2026, but admitted that it did not serve the parties as required.
“We have filed our final written address, My Lord, but we apologise for not serving the same on the parties in line with the court’s directive,” Okongbu pleaded.
Following the development, Justice George directed the EFCC to immediately serve its processes on all parties and adjourned the matter until April 22, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses.
The delay comes against the backdrop of earlier testimony by an EFCC operative, Emmanuel Adide, who distanced the commission from any attempt to recover funds on behalf of the first defendant.
“The commission is not a debt recovery body,” Adide told the court.
He explained that the petition before the EFCC alleged criminal breach of trust and obtaining by false pretence, which necessitated an investigation.
“Upon conclusion of our investigation, we discovered that the matter was civil in nature and advised the complainant to retrieve the bank drafts earlier submitted,” he said.
Adide clarified while testifying in a suit filed by property developer Olukayode Olusanya and his firm, Oak Homes Limited (Suit No: LD/4471LM/2023), against Ugbebor (first defendant) over alleged trespass on two second-floor apartments located at 14A, Musa Yar’Adua Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The EFCC operative told the court that, when the claimant agreed to refund the money, there was no discussion or understanding that the flats would be sold to facilitate the repayment.
“There was a discussion around a refund, but there was no agreement to sell the apartments. Compelling such a sale would be improper,” he stated.
The witness further confirmed that Olusanya was initially detained when he visited the EFCC office in Abuja, but was later granted bail.
“The refund arrangement was not reached while he was in custody,” he added.
According to him, the claimant paid a total sum of N102m in instalments through bank drafts, although he could not recall the exact number of tranches.
Under cross-examination, Adide maintained that there was no written request from Ugbebor asking the EFCC to recover the funds.
“There was no such instruction. Our role was strictly to investigate allegations of fraud,” he said.
He also confirmed that Olusanya never denied that a transaction occurred between him and Ugbebor.
“He did not deny it, my lord,” Adide said.
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