A Lagos State High Court has returned a case involving alleged forgery and illegal occupation to the Chief Judge for reassignment. The case, which was initially brought before Justice Akinwunmi Idowu, involves Al-Trade Agencies Limited and two other defendants, including Julius Eshiet and Alabi Collins of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

The charges, filed by the Inspector-General of Police, were first heard on September 9, 2025. At the resumed hearing, Justice Idowu stated that the matter could no longer proceed before him due to the end of the judiciary’s long vacation. As a result, the case file has been sent back to the Chief Judge for fresh assignment to a regular court.

The defendants are facing a 13-count charge related to the alleged forceful takeover and illegal occupation of a disputed property in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Ikeja. They are accused of conspiring to unlawfully seize and occupy Block C, Plots 30 and 37, Ajisafe Street, which is said to be in the lawful possession of Viagem Property & Investment Ltd. The prosecution alleges that Eshiet and Al-Trade Agencies, accompanied by armed police officers, illegally entered and occupied the land, destroying signposts erected by the Lagos State Special Task Force to indicate that the property was under investigation.

The case highlights the complexities of property disputes and the role of law enforcement in such matters. The reassignment of the case to a regular court is expected to ensure a thorough and fair hearing. The next steps in the case will depend on the Chief Judge’s decision on the reassignment, which may lead to a new trial or further proceedings. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for the parties involved and may set a precedent for similar cases in the future.