An Igbosere High Court has fixed February 7, 2020 for the adoption of final written addresses in a case of a N45 million property dispute involving a top Lagos State civil servant, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
Oke-Osanyintolu, the Director-General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, and his former lover, Olaide Ibraheem, are in court over ownership of the plum property.
The property is located at 1, Baba Yusuf Close, Alausa, Lagos and allegedly belongs to Oke-Osanyintolu.
Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye fixed the date on Friday after hearing submissions from the Defence Counsel, Adeoye Asaolu, and Akin George, the lead state prosecutor.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ibraheem, also a top civil servant in the Lagos State Government, is the Director, Administration and Human Resources in the Lagos State Office of Civic Engagement.
She was arraigned on May 22, 2017 and faces a three-count charge of forgery, forcible entry and criminal damage to the property, which allegedly belongs to Oke-Osanyintolu.
During the trial, four witnesses, including Oke-Osanyintolu, his personal assistant and a signature expert, testified for the prosecution.
Six witnesses, including Ibraheem, a surveyor and a police officer testified on behalf of the defence.
NAN reports that Oke-Osanyintolu in his testimony told the court that he and the defendant were former lovers and top civil servants working for the Lagos State Government.
He said during the course of their relationship, he needed accommodation for his ailing mother and had sought Ibraheem’s help in getting one.
Oke-Osanyintolu said the defendant negotiated the purchase of the property on his behalf for N45 million from the former owner, one Baba Yusuf in Kano.
The LASEMA D-G told the court that he had made instalmental payments for the property via Luqman Salami, his personal assistant, and paid a balance of N1.5 million the day the Deed of Assignment was signed.
He said: “Five people, including the defendant, were present when the Deed was signed, but only four persons: myself, the owner of the property, Baba Yusuf, his son Musa Yusuf and Salami, my personal assistant, signed the document.”
According to Oke-Osanyintolu, following the breakdown of their relationship, the defendant in order to unlawfully lay claim to the property, fraudulently made another Deed of Assignment and forged his signature on the fake document.
He said Ibraheem, with the aid of hoodlums, also unlawfully broke into and took possession of the property.
The LASEMA chief noted that when he reported his ex-lover’s actions to the authorities, she threatened his life and said she will show him “the power of women”.
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