Nigerian-American Engineer Seeks Justice in $400,000 Lagos Property Dispute

A Nigerian-American engineer, Anthony Ugbebor, has told the Lagos State High Court he paid $400,000 for two luxury flats in Victoria Island, Lagos, only to have the developer deny receiving the funds. Ugbebor, who claims the sum represents his life savings, insists he is entitled to immediate handover of the apartments.

The dispute involves Oak Homes Limited and its principal, Olukayode Olusanya, who filed a suit alleging trespass. Ugbebor, through counsel Nasiru Salau, presented evidence including multiple payment records covering N152 million of the total N190 million purchase price.

Ugbebor testified that despite payments made between 2017 and 2020, Oak Homes later claimed there was no record of the transactions. He added that repeated attempts to inspect the flats in 2022 were met with resistance, and estate agents later attempted to sell the apartments at significantly higher prices.

He confirmed filing a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after suspecting fraudulent activity, which led to Olusanya’s brief detention. Ugbebor maintains he is not seeking repayment but the delivery of the flats he purchased.

The engineer also reported threats to his safety to both the police and the Department of State Services (DSS). He denied allegations linking him to correspondence labeling Olusanya negatively in Ghana, clarifying his concerns were limited to perceived misconduct.

Originally, the flats were scheduled for delivery in February 2019, but the project faced delays due to government intervention, the COVID-19 pandemic, and rising construction costs. Ugbebor argues these factors do not absolve the developer of responsibility.

The first formal meeting involving all parties took place at the EFCC’s Abuja office in August 2023, during which Olusanya reportedly claimed the flats had been sold. Ugbebor, however, maintains the apartments remain his property.

Justice Akingbola George adjourned the case to January 20, 2026, for continuation of Ugbebor’s defence, with the engineer expressing unwavering confidence in the Nigerian judicial system.