LAGOS — The Nigeria Police Force has officially exonerated Lagos-based real estate developer, Alex Ochonogor, and his legal counsel, Ademola Owolabi, from allegations of forgery and willful property destruction.
According to a police investigative report signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Dahiru, head of the General Investigation Section of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos, both men were found not culpable in the alleged offences.
The Certified True Copy of the report, dated June 13, 2025 (Ref: CB:4099/X/ADM/X/ADM/GI/T.A/VOL.6142), was obtained by our correspondent. 
It was addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police at the Criminal Investigation Department Annexe in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Ochonogor and Owolabi were initially arraigned before the Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square over claims they forged land documents and carried out unauthorized demolition of structures on disputed land in the Lekki area.
However, dissatisfied with an earlier police report that led to their arraignment, the duo petitioned the Commissioner of Police, alleging a compromised investigation, abuse of office, and bias.
The new investigative findings reveal that the documents involved in the case were not forged and that the demolition was approved by relevant government officials.
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Specifically, the police confirmed the demolition notice was signed by Engineer Peter Omotosho of Archbond Builders Ltd and Lagos State official Mr. Bode Agoro.
It was also published in The Punch newspaper on September 11, 2009, and signed by then Permanent Secretary of the Lands Bureau, Mr. Gbenga B. Ashafa.
The report also traced the land in question, Block 133, Plot 10, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, to a Certificate of Occupancy granted to Major Hamza Al-Mustapha on July 12, 1994, when he served as Chief Security Officer to then Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
Ochonogor reportedly acquired the property through Donatus Eze, Managing Director of Trust Dede and Property Nigeria Ltd, on March 3, 2015.
On the forgery allegation raised by the complainant, Dr. Obidigwe Eze, police investigations found that his deed of assignment lacked the necessary signatures of Major Al-Mustapha and Mr. Abdul Fatai Alao Thomas, confirming it as forged.
Meanwhile, the police affirmed the authenticity of the memorandum of loss and the accompanying affidavit, stating both were properly signed by Al-Mustapha and registered by the Registrar of Titles in Lagos.
The case file has since been forwarded to the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for review.
However, the DPP is yet to issue legal advice or present the findings before the court, which has adjourned the matter to October 13, 2025.
