Metro

Controversial AMCON Sale: Court Evicts Ali Baba From VI Property

Published

1 month ago

September 6, 2025

Popular comedian Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, widely known as Ali Baba, and his company, XQZMOI TV, have been evicted from a Victoria Island property.

The eviction was carried out by bailiffs of the Federal High Court in Lagos, acting on a writ of possession issued on August 15, 2025.

The action followed a judgment delivered by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa on July 31, 2025, which dismissed a suit brought by Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), against Harold Expansion Industries Nigeria Limited and, critically, ruled in favour of Harold Expansion’s counterclaim.

The court’s decision reversed the sale of the property, located at 324A Akin Ogunlewe Street, and ordered its return to the family of the now-deceased original owner.

AMCON had initially filed the suit, claiming Harold Expansion Industries was indebted to the defunct Bank PhB (now Keystone Bank) to the tune of N617 million.

The corporation alleged that the loan was taken in three tranches in 2008, totalling N129 million, which AMCON subsequently took over.

To recover part of the alleged debt, AMCON was said to have sold the property to Ali Baba for ₦220 million, even as it claimed a balance of N616.1 million was still owed.

However, Harold Expansion Industries, through its lawyer, Benjamin Olayiwola Sadibo, denied the debt.

The company’s counterclaim stated that the N129 million was a consolidated and restructured sum from the original loans, with repayments having been made since the first loan was taken in January 2008.

In his judgment, Justice Lewis-Allagoa identified two key issues: whether AMCON had proven its case and whether Harold Expansion was entitled to its counterclaim.

Citing Section 131(1) of the Evidence Act 2011, the judge ruled that AMCON had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support its claims.

He noted that AMCON did not exhibit the defendant’s statement of account, a crucial piece of evidence for a creditor claiming a debt.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa stated that this failure was fatal to the plaintiff’s case and, as a result, dismissed AMCON’s suit.

Regarding the counterclaim, the judge pointed out that AMCON had failed to file a defence.

“Where a defendant counterclaims against a claimant, the latter is duty-bound to file a defence to the counterclaim; otherwise, the court is obliged to assume that the claimant has no defence,” he stated.

Consequently, the court entered judgment in favour of Harold Expansion Industries, granting all the reliefs sought, including an order for the return of the property and N500 million in damages against AMCON.

It would be recalled that Ali Baba purchased the property in 2021 for N220 million while the case was still in court, despite an existing order for AMCON to preserve the property pending the suit’s determination.

The comedian was allegedly a tenant of the property’s original owner before AMCON forcefully evicted the family and sold it to him.

The owner reportedly passed away shortly after the eviction. The premises, which comprise two large duplexes, had been fully occupied by Ali Baba’s company, XQZMOI, serving as its studios.

(TRIBUNE)

Metro

Police Recover 75 Stolen Phones, Five Laptops In Lagos

Published

3 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has recovered 75 mobile gadgets and five laptops abandoned by fleeing suspects during a routine patrol conducted by the Rapid Response Squad in Ikeja.

The operation, according to the command, was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and combat property crimes across the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the recovery followed the interception of two suspects who abandoned two large “Ghana Must Go” bags upon sighting police operatives near Allen Roundabout, Ikeja.

“On Sunday, 5th October, 2025, at about 5:30 a.m., operatives inspected the bags and discovered 32 iPhones of different models, 38 other smartphones of various brands such as Samsung, Redmi, Tecno, and Honour, as well as five laptops, several smart wristwatches, AirPods, a Samsung Tab, and a Sorapad.”

Speaking on the recovery, the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, CSP Shola Jejeloye, said, “Preliminary investigation indicates that the items were stolen property hurriedly abandoned by the suspects.”

“Members of the public who may have lost similar devices are advised to visit the RRS Headquarters, Alausa, with verifiable proof of ownership for proper identification and reclaim,” the statement read.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, commended the RRS operatives for their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention.

He assured residents that the command would continue to enhance patrol visibility and maintain public safety across all parts of Lagos.

The command had earlier arrested four members of a notorious car-snatching and armed robbery syndicate said to be responsible for several violent attacks on vehicle owners within and outside the state.

In a statement on Friday, Adebisi said the suspects were arrested by officers of the Command’s Tactical Squads following intelligence-led operations between October 15 and 17.

Adebisi said, “The notorious and vicious armed robbery and car-snatching gang was responsible for a series of violent attacks on vehicle owners.”

Metro

NSCDC Mining Marshals Smash Illegal Mineral Storage Network In Rivers

Published

7 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Mining Marshals, South-South Zone, have dismantled an illegal mineral storage network uncovered within the Onne axis of Rivers State.

CSC Babawale Afolabi, National Public Relations Officer of the command disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

According to the statement, the efforts was in a bold step to protect the nation’s resources and ensure the safety of local communities.

It said the operation, led by DSC Emmanuel Abiahu, followed credible intelligence and was carried out in collaboration with officials of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, just as the team discovered warehouses stockpiling mined minerals without valid permits, licenses or evidence of royalty payment to the Federal Government.

It said the illegal activities does not only undermine the economy but also poses environmental and safety risks to residents.

DSC Abiahu noted that the action was in direct response to the directive of the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, who has consistently emphasized the need to protect Nigeria’s solid mineral wealth and create a fair, regulated space for legitimate miners, investors, and communities that depend on the sector for livelihood.

He warned that all operators within the region must comply with the law or face decisive enforcement action, adding that the Corps remains committed to safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and the environment through sustained surveillance and collaboration with stakeholders.

The NSCDC called on citizens to continue supporting security agencies with credible information that will help curb illegal mining and ensure that the benefits of Nigeria’s natural resources serve the people and the nation at large.

Metro

Nigerian Troops Rescue 17 Kidnap Victims, Including Four Chinese Nationals

Published

7 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Army has rescued at least 21 kidnapped victims, including four Chinese nationals, during coordinated operations across Kwara and Kogi States.

This was contained in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye, on Saturday.

The statement said the daring rescue, was carried out on Thursday, October 17, 2025, adding that the operation involved personnel from the 2 Division, 12 Brigade Lokoja, and the 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, under Operation FANSAN YAMA, a military offensive aimed at flushing out bandits and kidnappers in the North Central region.

According to the army, the victims, who included 14 men, five women, one infant, and four Chinese nationals, were freed after troops intensified attacks on criminal hideouts in both states, stressing that some of the captives were said to have been held for more than four months before their release.

It further explained that the successful rescue was a result of the army’s renewed strategy to combat insecurity in the region.

“In a sustained effort to eliminate bandits and other criminal elements operating in Kwara and neighbouring states, troops of 2 Division and Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMA, successfully rescued 21 kidnapped victims.

“The coordinated operations by troops of 12 Brigade, Lokoja, and 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, led to the rescue of the kidnapped persons who include 14 males, 5 females, 1 infant, and 4 Chinese nationals.

“The victims revealed that they were abducted from different locations across Kwara and Kogi States. Following the troops’ intensified offensive, the bandits were forced to release their captives, some of whom had been with them for over four months,” the statement said.