N152m Property Battle Deepens as Nigerian-American Engineer Opens Defence Against Lagos Developer

Segun Atanda/

A high-stakes property dispute between a Nigerian-American engineer, Mr. Anthony Ugbebor, and Lagos developer Olukayode Olusanya, has taken a new turn at the Lagos High Court as Ugbebor opened his defence and asked the court to dismiss the N152 million claim against him.

Olusanya and his company, Oak Homes Limited, had dragged Ugbebor before the court over ownership and alleged trespass concerning two luxury flats located at 14A Musa Yar’Adua Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Led in evidence by his counsel, Barrister Nasir Salau, Ugbebor adopted his written statement on oath as his defence and counterclaim. Several documents were tendered and admitted as exhibits.
He urged the court to dismiss the claimants’ suit “for lacking merit” and to grant judgment in his favour by compelling Oak Homes to deliver the two apartments he said he paid for.

During cross-examination, claimants’ counsel, Mr. Adeleke Agboola (SAN), questioned Ugbebor on his trust in the Nigerian judiciary. He replied that he had “absolute trust” in the judicial system and believed all disputes must be resolved within the law.

Ugbebor narrated how he paid 80 percent of the N152 million (about $400,000) purchase price but was later told by Oak Homes that there was no record of his transaction when his representative attempted an inspection on October 11, 2022.

He said his representative was referred to one Linda Umeh, who later claimed she was instructed by the company’s COO to state that there was no record of the purchase.

Agboola SAN confronted him with an email in which he threatened to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Ugbebor admitted writing and submitting the petition in Abuja, saying he suspected he was about to be defrauded.

He confirmed that Olusanya was detained by the EFCC but said he had no knowledge of the duration. He denied sending lawyers to the Commission to recover his money, insisting his goal was to take delivery of the flats, not a refund.

Although the EFCC allegedly directed the developer to refund the payments, Ugbebor maintained he insisted on receiving the apartments.

Ugbebor acknowledged that the contractual delivery date for the two second-floor flats was February 28, 2019, a deadline that was not met. His last payment was made in December 2020, after the delivery date had passed.

He admitted that the site was sealed by the Lagos State Government in 2019, and that the COVID-19 pandemic and rising construction costs further delayed the project.

Despite this, he insisted the apartments were still available contrary to the developer’s claim that they had been sold.

The engineer said he later reported the matter to the police at Zone 2 Command Headquarters after allegedly receiving threats to his life. However, he noted that the portion of the criminal charge relating to the alleged threats was struck out by the Federal High Court when the charge was amended.

He also testified that he could not recall receiving a pre-emptive injunction issued by Justice Ogunjobi on August 24, 2023, restraining him from visiting the property.

Counsel to the EFCC, Mr. M.A. Sheu, did not cross-examine Ugbebor.

Justice George adjourned further hearing to January 20, 2026, for continuation of the defence.

The session was conducted virtually.