How the lawyer I hired stole N73 million from me – Businessman

Admin I Friday, February 07, 2025

 

IKEJA, LAGOS – Mr. Oketola Benson Adewole, a Lagos based businessman has testified before a Domestic and Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos accusing his former lawyer, Ironsi Emmanuel Okoroafor, of defrauding him to the tune of N73 million under the pretext of helping him to his land title.

Adewole, who appeared before Justice Olubusola Okunuga told the court 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).

He told the court that he ran into problem with the lawyer over four plots of land owned by Adewole at Gedegede Waterfront, Lekki.

He claimed that 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.

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 charges in the ministry and N50 million for processing a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

He said an extra N3 million was later requested to fast-track the process.

He told the court that he became suspicious when he 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 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.