Court Strikes Out Forgery Case Against Late Alaba Alakija & Daughter-in-Law, Oyinkansola

MICHAEL AKINOLA

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has struck out an alleged forgery case filed against late businessman and socialite Mr. Alaba Alakija and his daughter-in-law, Oyinkansola Alakija, for want of diligent prosecution.

The defendants had been arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an amended two-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy and the use of false documents.

One count alleged that on or about August 6, 2015, in Lagos, Alaba Alakija and Oyinkansola Alakija conspired to use a document titled “Vesting Deed by Dr. Omodele Alakija and Mr. Afolabi Alakija,” purportedly executed by the executors of the estate of the late Sir Ademola Alakija, in relation to a property at No. 10 Keffi Street, South-West, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read.

When the matter came up on May 26, 2026, for further report of service and final disposition, counsel for the first defendant, Prof. Taiwo Osopitan SAN, informed the court via an affidavit that Alaba Alakija had passed on and applied for his name to be struck out. Mr. Clement Onwenwunor SAN appeared for the second defendant, Oyinkansola Alakija.

With the prosecution absent, Justice Dada granted the application and ordered: “The name of the First Defendant be and is hereby struck out from this Suit and the entire Suit is hereby struck out for want of diligent prosecution.”

Background to the EFCC petition

The EFCC’s investigation into the property of the late Sir Adeyemo Alakija followed a petition dated November 28, 2022.

According to a family source, the petition was filed by Ms. Modupe Alakija and Ms. Oreoluwa Alakija, grandchildren of the late Sir Alakija and children of his first twin son, the late Taiwo Alakija.

The petition concerned an undated Vesting Deed prepared by Messrs O. Akindeko and registered at the Federal Land Registry, Ikoyi.

It allegedly related to actions taken by two executors of the Will of the late Sir Adeyemo Alakija over the property at 10 Keffi Street, South-West, Ikoyi, Lagos.