• About Us
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́ Podcast
  • Contact
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
Freelanews
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Freelanews
No Result
View All Result
Home General

Complainant prays Lagos AG to dismiss petition to stop trial of lawyers charge with forgery

Freelanews by Freelanews
May 28, 2024
in General
0
Ademola Owolabi

Ademola Owolabi

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]omplainant in the criminal charge LD/CR/26/2024, filed against two lawyers and a businessman at the Lagos High Court, TBS, by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr. Obidigwe Eze has urged the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice (AG), Lawal Pedro (SAN) to resist the temptation to discontinue the prosecution as requested by one of the suspects.

The defendants in the charge are Adebayo Akeju of Adon Law Chambers, Ademola Owolabi of Ademola Adetokunbo & Co, and Alex Ochonogor of Bluecrest Homes Limited.

Also read: ‘Tricked the complainant’ Lagos estate manager in police net over alleged N1.3m Fraud

Akeju, who is charged with forgery and damage to property alongside the other two, had in April 25, 2024 written a petition to the AG, praying him to stop their prosecution in an attempt to mislead him into believing that it is a malicious charge, without even showing up in court to take his plea.

In the petition, which was published in an online platform, titled, “Application for Administrative Review of the Legal Advice on the Referenced Matter”, he made sundry claims to evoke sympathy and mislead the AG, including that the Police investigation report that resulted in the advice to try them was inaccurate.

He claimed that he simply carried out the instruction of his client, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (Retd), who is the original owner of the land.

According to him, Al-Mustapha said he had lost his original Certificate of Occupancy and so signed a Memorandum of Loss (MoL) for him to use in disposing of the property.

But Al-Mustapha in a letter to the permanent secretary, Governor’s Office, Lagos State Land Bureau, Alausa dated May 22, 2024, said he had sold and transferred the original Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the property long before Akeju raised Memorandum of Loss of C of O suo moto, which he used in selling off the property again.

“I have not misplaced nor lost the Certificate of Occupancy. Furthermore, I have never sworn an affidavit stating its lost, nor have I filed a missing police report concerning this document, as well as never caused any public service announcement in any newspaper about misplacing my original C Of O. Hence, kindly disregard any assertion that contradicts this position,” Al-Mustapha stated.

However, Dr Eze, writing a rebuttal to the AG dated May 15, 2024 through his lawyers, Philip Jimoh-Lasis (SAN), Chukwudi Adiukwu (SAN), Bamidele Ibironke (SAN) and Anthony Omaghomi charged the AG to ignore the petition and exercise discretion in favour of public interest and the interest of justice by directing the DPP to proceed with the prosecution of the suspects.

“Our client is convinced that the investigation carried out by the police and the conclusion reached is accurate, i.e. that there is a prima facie case of conspiracy, forgery, illegal encroachment, and contempt against Akeju, Owolabi and Ochonogor.

“Ochonogor is in active violation of a court order and was facing a 9 count charge No: ID/120C/2012 between FRN V. Mahmud Tukur. Ochonogor and Akeju have been served and have refused to appear in court, making a mockery of the judicial system.

“We are confident that being the resourceful Attorney-General we know you to be, the limitless power, which Section 211 of the Constitution endows you with, will be exercised for overriding public interest,” Dr Eze prayed.

The lawyers stressed that they recognise the unquestionabe discretion that the office of the Attorney-General of Lagos State enjoys by virtue of Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution in the exercise of his powers to institute or discontinue criminal proceedings.

“This pre-eminent and incontestable position is not subject to any control (except for the reaction of your appointer). However, in the exercise of this discretion, regard shall be had to public interest, the interest of justice, and the need to prevent the abuse of the legal process.

“The filing of the charge against Mr. Akeju was preceded by a thorough police investigation that lasted over a year, which established a case of Conspiracy, Forgery, and damage to property against him and others.

“This was followed by a detailed review by the office of the DPP, an arm of your esteemed office, who came up with advice that there is a prima facie case against these persons. Would it serve the public good to discontinue this charge filed by the DPP?

“It would meet the justice of the case if Mr. Akeju is advised to go to court rather than pursue this alarmist cry. As a lawyer, one would have expected that he would gladly appear in court to defend himself of all charges, just as he claims he is doing in the civil case.

“What exactly is he afraid of when he has countless times said he is innocent? Subjecting this whole allegation to trial would be in the interest of justice for all parties involved. The legal principle on presumption of innocence until proven guilty remains sacrosanct in our jurisprudence.

“He should, therefore, stand his trial, supply the gamut of the defence that he has alluded to that he has and allow the prosecution discharge the burden of proof,” they prayed the AG.

According to them, what would be the public interest in the circumstances of the case is to proceed to try the suspects.

“After a thorough investigation by the police, a prima facie case of conspiracy, forgery, and fraud is established against the suspects. The DPP has also advised that they have a case to answer, a charge has been filed, then one of the suspects is requesting the Honourable Attorney General to discontinue.

“We respectfully request that you exercise your discretion in favour of the public interest and the interest of justice by directing the DPP to proceed with the prosecution,” they urged the AG.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
freelanews
Freelanews

Freelanews is a potpourri of news, entertainment, business, events and photos. This is no fake news.


Discover more from Freelanews

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Related Posts

Tinubu writing 1
General

Tinubu presides over FEC, swears in 8 new Perm Secs

by Quadri Olaitan
November 27, 2023
7399A2F6 BE91 4CD7 AEC4 D86382FD33CF 1
General

‘Being weird is fun’ Musician, Justin Bieber, rocks dreadlocks

by Freelanews
April 27, 2021
88f7bd61dcfd01829ba1d74549ec35de
General

I created every style of music in last 20 years – says Kanye West

by Quadri Olaitan
March 18, 2024
#image_title
General

LP’s Alex Otti wins Abia State governorship election (Full results)

by Quadri Olaitan
March 22, 2023
Accident
General

‘Speed violation’ Motor accident kills four, injures four others in Bauchi

by Freelanews
May 28, 2021

Discussion about this post

ADVERTISEMENT

Recent News

Rotary Club cataract surgery

Rotary Club cataract surgery transforms 30,000 lives

October 8, 2025
Ikechukwu N arrest

Ikechukwu N arrest shocks Argentina after INTERPOL raid

October 8, 2025
CBN monetary stability

CBN assures Nigerians of monetary stability progress

October 8, 2025
Uche Nnaji resignation

BREAKING! Tinubu’s Minister, Uche Nnaji resigns over certificate forgery allegations

October 7, 2025

Search

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Political persecution in Ogun State

Political persecution in Ogun State: Abiodun moves against Otunba Gbenga Daniel with demolition threats again

August 9, 2025
Abdul-Muiz Olanrewaju Animashaun

Abdul-Muiz Olanrewaju Animashaun remembered with love

September 14, 2025
Taylor Swift deepfake scandal

Taylor Swift faces deepfake scandal as Swifties call for stricter regulation

January 25, 2024
April Wind Couture

April Wind Couture thrives in Nigeria’s tough economy with bold Ankara vision

September 12, 2025
amoke

‘Meals by Amoke’ We serve traditional dishes in a modern way, Bukoye Fasola reveals

0
Image 2024 03 26 at 120645 AM jpeg

Charles Inojie, Ali Nuhu call on communities to #MakeWeHalla against domestic violence

0
Meran Primary Health Centre

Lagos father shares heartbreaking experience at Meran Primary Health Centre (Photos)

0
fls2

‘Disarticulated system’ Gov’t confused about Nigerian education, expert laments

0
Rotary Club cataract surgery

Rotary Club cataract surgery transforms 30,000 lives

October 8, 2025
Ikechukwu N arrest

Ikechukwu N arrest shocks Argentina after INTERPOL raid

October 8, 2025
CBN monetary stability

CBN assures Nigerians of monetary stability progress

October 8, 2025
Uche Nnaji resignation

BREAKING! Tinubu’s Minister, Uche Nnaji resigns over certificate forgery allegations

October 7, 2025
October 2025
MTWTFSS
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031 
« Sep    
Freelanews

Freelanews is a Nigerian digital news platform that delivers timely, credible, and engaging stories across politics, business, entertainment, lifestyle, and the creative industry, with a strong focus on promoting innovation, integrity, and inclusivity in storytelling.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Editor’s Pick

  • OGD vs DA
    OGD vs DA: The real story never told
    • August 22, 2025
  • Toyota Sienna harassment
    Why is Lagos State govt harassing Toyota Sienna users?
    • August 19, 2025
  • Otunba Gbenga Daniel
    Who really is Otunba Gbenga Daniel?
    • August 18, 2025

Hot!

Rotary Club cataract surgery

Rotary Club cataract surgery transforms 30,000 lives

October 8, 2025
Ikechukwu N arrest

Ikechukwu N arrest shocks Argentina after INTERPOL raid

October 8, 2025
No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertisement
  • Sitemap

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Total
0
Share
0
0
0
0
0
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.

Discover more from Freelanews

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading