How Lagos Socialite Alakija, Daughter-in-Law Ran Into Trouble Over Alleged Forgery

MICHAEL AKINOLA

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, April 15, 2024, arraigned Lagos socialite, Mr. Alaba Alakija and his daughter-in-law, Oyinkansola Alakija before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on an amended two-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy and using false documents.

One of the counts reads: “Alaba Alakija and Oyinkansola Alakija, on or about the 6th day of August, 2015 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to financially benefit from the property located at No.10, Keffi Street, South-west, Ikoyi, Lagos, conspired amongst yourselves to use a false document titled: “Vesting Deed by Dr. Omodele Alakija and Mr. Afolabi Alakija”, the executors of the estate of the late Sir Ademola Alakija, purporting  same to be made by Dr. Omodele Alakija and Mr. Afolabi Alakija.”

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were to them.

In view of their pleas,  prosecution counsel, M. S. Owede prayed the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendants at a correctional facility.

Counsel to the first defendant, M.O. Akangbe, SAN, informed the court of the bail application of his client, which he said he had filed and served on the prosecution.

While praying to move the application, he urged the court to grant bail to his client in the most liberal terms.

However, counsel to the second defendant, Victor Giwa, prayed the court to move the bail application of his client orally.

He told the court that he was informed about the matter late and that he came from outside the jurisdiction of the court.

Giwa further stated that his client, whom he described as a lawyer, has a two month-old baby, whom she still breastfeeds, and that she would not jump bail.

However, in a dramatic twist, the second defendant’s husband debunked the claim and told the court that their baby is nine months old.

After listening to both parties,  Justice Dada granted bail to the first defendant in the sum of N10 million, with sureties in like sum, who must submit their international passports to the court.

The court, however, took possession of the passport of the second defendant.

Both defendants were released to their lawyers pending perfection of their bail conditions.

The judge adjourned the matter  to May, 28 2024 for commencement of trial.

The EFCC has launched an investigation into the property of the late Sir Adeyemo Alakija, following a petition to the Commission by two of the grandchildren of Sir Alakija.

The petition written by the two grandchildren of the late Alakija is over the undated Vesting Deed prepared by Messers O. Akindeko registered at the Federal Land Registry, Ikoyi, allegedly made by two executors of the Will of Late Sir Adeyemo Alakija over his property at 10 Keffi Street, South West, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The petition, according to a source close to the family, was dated November 28, 2022, and filed by Ms. Modupe Alakija and Ms. Oreoluwa Alakija, children of the first twin son of Sir Alakija –Taiwo Alakija, who is deceased too.

In the petition, the duo claimed that the property is family property and does not belong solely to Mr. Alaba Alakija, who is claiming that by the undated Vesting Deed, he is the sole owner of the property.

That the registered undated Vesting Deed in the name of two deceased executors of the Will of late Sir Adeyemo Alakija is a forged document.

The Vesting Deed was delivered for registration on August 6, 2015, allegedly by Dr. Afolabi Alakija, who died in 1982, an Executor of the Will of Sir Alakija and himself a son of the late Sir Alakija.

EFCC, which investigated the matter, at some point brought into their custody the person in whom the property was allegedly vested by the alleged forged undated registered Vesting Deed, Alaba Alakija, for questioning.

He was said to have at the time put up the property for sale or lease.

The Commission then marked the property under investigation to prevent any incident that would impinge on its investigation.