Lagos, Nigeria – A businessman, Oketola Benson Adewole, has testified before the Lagos Special Offences Court, accusing his former lawyer, Ironsi Emmanuel Okoroafor, of allegedly defrauding him of N73 million under the pretext of securing a land title.
Adewole, appearing before Justice Olubusola Okunuga, detailed how he came to know Okoroafor, explaining that he was introduced to him by a friend and police officer, Paul Adeyemi.
According to Adewole, the lawyer had previously handled various legal matters for him, including property agreements and a case involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The dispute arose over four plots of land owned by Adewole at Gedegede Waterfront, Lekki.
He claimed Okoroafor advised him to regularize the land documents to facilitate development.
Relying on this advice, Adewole alleged that Okoroafor arranged for a surveyor, identified as Peter Tyson, to inspect the land.
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Adewole testified that he initially paid N18 million into an account provided by Okoroafor, allegedly for the survey process.
Over time, additional payments were made, including N2 million for supposed changes in the ministry and N50 million for processing a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O). An extra N3 million was later requested to fast-track the process.
However, suspicions arose when Adewole requested receipts and documents confirming the transactions, only to be met with delays and excuses.
His concerns deepened after a visit to the Lagos Lands Registry at Alausa, where he learned that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had reportedly not issued a C of Os for two years.
Feeling deceived, Adewole confronted Okoroafor and eventually filed a petition with the EFCC.
The case has now reached the courtroom, where the defendant’s lawyer, James Babatunde Alara, cross-examined the witness.
Following Adewole’s testimony, Justice Okunuga adjourned the case to April 10, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
