A Lagos State High Court has returned a case involving alleged forgery and illegal occupation to the Chief Judge for reassignment. The matter, originally heard before Justice Akinwunmi Idowu, concerns Al‑Trade Agencies Limited and two other defendants—Julius Eshiet and Alabi Collins of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. The Inspector‑General of Police filed a 13‑count charge against the defendants, alleging a forceful takeover and illegal occupation of a disputed property in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Ikeja. The charges were first heard on 9 September 2025.
At the resumed hearing, Justice Idowu explained that the case could no longer proceed before him because the judiciary’s long vacation had ended. Consequently, the case file was sent back to the Chief Judge for fresh assignment to a regular court. The prosecution alleges that Eshiet and Al‑Trade Agencies, accompanied by armed police officers, illegally entered and occupied Block C, Plots 30 and 37, Ajisafe Street—land that is claimed to be lawfully possessed by Viagem Property & Investment Ltd. The defendants are also accused of destroying signposts erected by the Lagos State Special Task Force, which indicated that the property was under investigation.
The reassignment aims to ensure a thorough and fair hearing. The next steps will depend on the Chief Judge’s decision regarding the new assignment, which may lead to a fresh trial or further proceedings. The outcome will have significant implications for the parties involved and could set a precedent for similar property‑dispute cases in the future.
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