Lagos State takes over EFCC’s forgery case against Alakija, daughter-in-law

The Lagos State Attorney General, through the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), has taken over a criminal case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Alaba Alakija and his daughter-in-law, Oyinkansola Alakija, over allegations of forgery.

The defendants were arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada of a Lagos Special Offences Court in Ikeja for allegedly using falsified documents to claim ownership of a property at No. 10 Keffi Street, Southwest Ikoyi, Lagos.

The title documents were said to have been simultaneously registered at the Federal Land Registry and Lagos State Land Registry in 2015.In addition to the criminal charges, a parallel civil suit over the same property is ongoing before Justice Mathias Dawodu of the Lagos High Court, following the completion of preliminary proceedings before Justice Oyebanji.

The EFCC had, on April 16, 2024, arraigned the defendants on an amended two-count charge of conspiracy and the use of false documents. The anti-graft agency accused them of forging a document titled Vesting Deed by Dr Omodele Alakija and Mr Afolabi Alakija, purportedly made by the deceased executors of the estate of the late Sir Adeyemo Alakija.

The alleged forgery said to have been committed on August 6, 2015, was reportedly aimed at benefiting financially from the disputed property. However, on October 30, Justice Dada heard an application filed by the Lagos Attorney General seeking to discontinue the case as filed by the EFCC and assume control of the prosecution. The application, signed by the DPP, Dr Babajide Martins, was subsequently granted in a ruling delivered on November 11.

Justice Dada also granted permission for the second defendant, Oyinkansola Alakija, to travel abroad for medical reasons and adjourned the matter to January 28, 2025, for further hearing.

Meanwhile, the civil case over the ownership of the same property remains pending before Justice Dawodu for trial.