By Tope Kolawole
The absence of a technical crew needed to facilitate the virtual appearance of a Nigerian-American engineer, Mr Anthony Ugbebor, in a property dispute, stalled the case before a Lagos State High Court, sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square, has
A property developer, Mr Olukayode Olusanya and his company, Oak Homes Limited, sued Ugbebor, the Nigerian Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, over a property located in Victoria Island area of Lagos State.
At the resumed proceedings before Justice Akingbola George, the court was told that the team responsible for setting up the Zoom connection was not available.
Counsel to the first defendant, Mr Nasiru Salau, reminded the court that it had earlier granted leave for his client to join the proceedings virtually.
He said all necessary payments for the virtual link had been made, and the Zoom details were received and forwarded to the defendant last Fr
Salau explained that he contacted the court’s technical unit before the court began sitting and was informed that the technical team were on their way, adding that the same team was also scheduled to handle another virtual proceeding later that morning, between 10 am and 10:30 am, before the court.
He, therefore, requested a brief stand-down to allow time for the technical setup.
However, counsel to the claimants, Mr Adeleke Agboola (SAN), opposed the request, arguing that there was no certainty about when the technical team would arrive.
I am objecting to the stand down. The first defendant has been attending proceedings virtually, and this court usually sits at 9 a.m., even when there is no power supply. If they are not ready today, I will be asking for costs,” Agboola said.
In response, Salau dismissed the objection, stating, “The objection of the SAN is a misconception.
“It is not our duty to set up the Zoom link; the court has always handled that. We made the payment last week, and the link was sent. I will not concede any cost”.
Justice George subsequently adjourned the case to November 25, 2025, for the defence to open its case.
The claimants, Olusanya and Oak Homes Limited, in suit number LD/4471LM/2023, are suing Ugbebor (first defendant) and the EFCC (second defendant) over an alleged ownership dispute of a property valued at N152m.
the last hearing, Olusanya, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Oak Homes Limited, denied receiving a letter purportedly sent by the EFCC on September 13, 2023, inviting him to collect a bank draft of N102m from the Commission.
During cross-examination by EFCC counsel Mr E.S. Okongwu, Olusanya testified that he never received any letter or call from the EFCC regarding the draft.
He confirmed that the bank draft remains in the EFCC’s custody.
The matter, which had been scheduled for the defence to open its case on October 20, 2025, was adjourned due to the technical hitch that disrupted Monday’s proceedings.
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