The Lagos State High Court has adjourned the hearing of a joinder application filed by Afamefuna and Nwachukwu, sons of Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, to March 10, 2025. The application seeks to withdraw their earlier request to be included as parties in a 2011 legal battle over properties belonging to Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL).
The case, originally filed in 2011 under suit number LD/794/2011, was initiated by Ogbonna Ojukwu and others against OTL. In 2018, Justice Adedayo Oyebanji ruled in favor of OTL, granting the company possession of its Lagos properties, including the well-known property at No. 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi. The court’s judgment led to the execution of a warrant of possession, which was finalized in July 2022.
Sons of Late Ojukwu Seek Representation
Afamefuna and Nwachukwu Odumegwu-Ojukwu argued that they were unaware of the original case and its judgment. Last year, they filed to be joined in the case as interested parties and sought a stay of execution on the already enforced warrant of possession. The late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, their father, was originally involved in the suit before his death in 2011.
The brothers contended that the judgment affects their interests, stating, “It would amount to a miscarriage of justice for the matter to be conclusively decided without our input.” They also issued a “Notice of Disobedience of Court Order” to OTL and other tenants of the disputed properties, alleging a lack of awareness about the court proceedings.
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Court Proceedings and Adjournment
During the last hearing on April 22, 2024, representatives of OTL, including its Director, Dr. P. Ike Ojukwu, its estate agent, Mr. Massey Udegbe, and its lawyer, Chief Ifeanyi Okumah, were present in court. However, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, her sons, and their legal team were absent. Justice A.M. Lawal had previously issued a restraining order in 2022, prohibiting interference with the brothers’ possession of the properties until the harmonization of Ojukwu family assets by OTL.
Justice Lawal’s judgment also addressed concerns about rent arrears on several properties managed by OTL. The company claimed it had not received rent payments from some occupants for years. For instance, Uche Obilor/West African Offshore Limited, tenants at 30 Gerard Road, Ikoyi, allegedly owe N144 million in unpaid rent spanning 12 years. Similarly, the Foursquare Gospel Church at 32A Commercial Avenue, Yaba, has reportedly not paid rent since 2017. OTL also noted that the property at 4 Macpherson Road, Ikoyi, has been under police lock and key since 2015, while 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Road, Ikoyi, has remained vacant for over 20 years.
Estate Management and OTL’s Position
Following the court ruling in 2022, OTL moved to harmonize the management of its assets. The company reaffirmed Massey Udegbe and Co. as its estate agent and announced this decision in two national newspapers. Despite these efforts, disputes persist over rent payments and occupancy of certain properties.
OTL has emphasized its commitment to reclaiming unpaid rents and ensuring proper management of its assets. Regarding the ongoing legal battles, an OTL representative remarked, “We have always acted in accordance with the law and remain focused on ensuring that the interests of Ojukwu Transport Limited are upheld.”