Lagos land trespass: Court adjourns defendants’ arraignment

Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court, sitting at the J.I.C. Taylor Courthouse, has adjourned to May 20, 2026, the arraignment of Alhaja Ganiyat Abiola Ulom and Mr Oluseye Olusoga over an alleged forceful entry into a 13-storey building on Lagos Island.

Olusoga, the Managing Director of Consolidated Discounts Limited, is standing trial alongside Ulom in a two-count charge marked LD/27748C/2026.

The charge relates to a property known as the ACB Building, located at 100 Broad Street, Lagos, which was said to be in the possession of one Samuel Arisi and undergoing renovation at the time of the alleged incident.

The matter, which came up on Wednesday for arraignment, could not proceed as both defendants were absent from court, making it the second time the case had stalled at that stage.

At a previous hearing, counsel to the first defendant, R. A. Isinsin, had informed the court that his client was ill and receiving treatment in a hospital.

At the latest proceedings, a Deputy Director from the Lagos State Ministry of Justice appeared for the prosecution, while Eze Okam represented the second defendant. Counsel to the first defendant was not in court.

The prosecutor told the court that although the defendants were absent, the parties were exploring an amicable resolution, but added that the state was ready to proceed if settlement efforts failed.

Counsel to the second defendant, however, reiterated that his client was out of the country but would be available at the next adjourned date.

Following the submissions, Justice Sonaike granted an adjournment and fixed May 20, 2026, for arraignment.

According to the charge, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2021 to commit forcible entry into the 13-storey building, contrary to Section 412 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

They were also accused of unlawfully entering the property and halting ongoing renovation works, contrary to Section 52 of the same law.