Bianca wins legal battle over Ojukwu estate – Newstrends
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Bianca wins legal battle over Ojukwu estate

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2 years ago

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Bianca Ojukwu

Bianca wins legal battle over Ojukwu estate

A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has delivered judgment in the long-drawn litigation over the management and control of some of the assets of Ojukwu Transport Ltd, OTL, in favour of Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, widow of the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and her two children.

The late Ikemba Nnewi was a director of OTL, a family company, before he died in 2011.

The suit, LD/1539/2012, filed by Bianca on behalf of the claimants, her two sons, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu, who were infants at the time, against OTL and seven others (brothers of the late Dim Ojukwu, their sons and property agent) before the court, was over alleged move by the defendants to take possession of claimants residence at No. 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, as well as some of the company’s property in Lagos, which were under the management and control of their late Biafran warlord.

The defendants in the suit filed in 2012 are OTL, Prof Joseph Ojukwu, Engr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, Lotanna Putalora Ojukwu, Dr. Patrick Ike Ojukwu, Arch. Edward Ojukwu, Lota Akajiora Ojukwu and Messrs. Massey Udegbe (doing business under Massey Udegbe & Company).

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The claimants stated that at about August 4, 2011, while their father was sick and hospitalized in London, the 4th-7th defendants attempted to forcibly take possession of their home at No. 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Oueens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos, claiming that after the death of their father and soon after his burial, the 2nd-7th defendants went on to appoint a property agent, the 8th defendant, to take over, not only their father’s residence at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive but also other property under the possession, management and control of their father, namely No. 13 Hawksworth Rd (now known as 13 Ojora Rd) Ikoyi; No. 32A Commercial Ave, Yaba, Lagos; No. 30 Gerard Rd, Ikoyi, Lagos and No.4 Macpherson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Delivering judgment on June 24, this year, the court presided over by Justice A. M. Lawal, after considering all the evidence adduced by the parties in the course of the proceedings spanning about 10 years, ruled that the claimants being biological children of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu by that virtue are entitled to the estate of their father, as well as his entitlements as a deceased director and shareholder of the Ist defendant.

Justice Lawal stated that “equity is fairness and fairness is equity,” adding that as a court of equity, the court would not allow the dispossession of the claimants who are children of a foundation director of the company while other directors are in hold and control of other property of the Ist defendant and deriving benefits from the same.

“Therefore, the claimants are entitled to possess and control what their late father possessed and controlled in the company, OTL, when he was alive,” he ruled.

The judge stated that the fact that the 1st defendant allowed the family of the company to live on, and derive income from the assets of the company all these years was a decision of the company by conduct.

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He noted that the 2nd defendant who had refused to surrender the property under his control for joint management cannot now lead the battle of having the deceased director’s children hounded out of possession of the property that was managed by their late father.

The counterclaim instituted by the defendants was struck out for lack of competence as the court declared “That the claimants are entitled to the possession and occupation of the property known as No. 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Oueens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos, until the harmonization of the management of the assets of the Ist defendant;

“That the threat of forceful ejection of the claimants from No.29 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, by the defendants is illegal;

“That the claimants are also entitled to the possession of the properties known as No 13 Hawkesworth Rd, Ikoyi (now known as No 13 Ojora Rd, Ikoyi); No. 32A Commercial Avenue, Yaba, Lagos; No. 30 Gerard Rd, Ikoyi, Lagos and No. 4 Macpherson Ave, Ikoyi, Lagos, which were some of the properties that were under the possession of the late father of the claimants from the time the properties were released from government acquisition.

“That the 2nd-8th defendants are restrained either by themselves or through their agent or privies from interfering with the claimants’ possession and control of the 5 listed properties, being the subject matter of the suit.”

Present as the judgment was delivered were the Ist, 5th and 8th defendants, with the 5th defendant, a director of the Ist defendant representing the Ist defendant.

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Police arrest killers of Chinese national in Ogun

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10 hours ago

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July 15, 2025

By

Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi

Police arrest killers of Chinese national in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has detained two suspects, Yunusa Abdullahi and Peace Keno Danlami, in connection with the murder of Chen Wang, a Chinese national who was allegedly stabbed to death in his office early this year.

Wang, an employee at WH Great Resource Ltd. in Ogere, was assassinated on January 12, 2025.

According to a statement made on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and forwarded by the Ogun State Command spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, the victim died from stab wounds to the chest.

The police stated, “The incident, which occurred on January 12, 2025, drew immediate attention when the Ogun State Police Command received a distress call regarding the discovery of Mr Wang’s lifeless body within his office premises. Preliminary findings revealed that the deceased had suffered fatal stab wounds to the chest.”

The police added, “The event, which occurred on January 12, 2025, gained rapid attention when the Ogun State Police Command received a distress call about the discovery of Mr Wang’s lifeless body within his office premises.

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According to preliminary findings, the deceased died as a result of deadly stab wounds to the chest.

“In line with the strategic policing mandate of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force Technical Intelligence Unit was promptly mobilised to provide high-level operational and technological support,” the statement read.

Investigators determined that two manufacturing workers, believed to be in a romantic relationship, took advantage of reduced staffing on the day of the incident.

Odutola added, “While on overtime duty, they allegedly disabled the company’s security system, unlawfully accessed Mr Wang’s office and committed the fatal attack. They subsequently stole the keys to his residence, which they later burgled before fleeing the state with stolen cash.”

Following several weeks of surveillance and tactical cooperation, operatives from the Force Headquarters and Ogun SCID located and apprehended Abdullahi, 25, of Borno State, and Danlami, 20, of Taraba State, on July 14 in Jos, Plateau State, where they were hiding under fictitious names.

“The swift deployment of digital forensics, biometric analysis, and human intelligence by the Nigeria Police played a decisive role in bringing the perpetrators to justice,” the statement noted.

According to the statement, the Inspector General praised the Ogun State Police Command and the Force Technical Intelligence Unit for their professionalism and dedication.

The IG also reassured the public about the police’s continuous efforts to protect both citizens and foreign nationals through proactive and precision-led investigations.

“The suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations,” the statement added.

Police arrest killers of Chinese national in Ogun

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Kidnapped Chief Imam of Uromi regains freedom

Published

10 hours ago

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July 15, 2025

By

Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command, Moses Yamu

Kidnapped Chief Imam of Uromi regains freedom

The Chief Imam of Uromi in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, has regained his freedom after spending five harrowing days in the hands of his abductors.

Sheikh Muhammad was released on Saturday, July 13, bringing relief to the Uromi Muslim community and his family, who had been anxiously awaiting his safe return.

The respected Islamic cleric was abducted on Monday, July 8, at the Angle 90 area of Uromi. According to reports, he had stepped out of his residence to buy food for his family when he was forcefully taken by unidentified gunmen.

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The kidnappers however called the family members and demanded ransom of N30 million but Daily Trust couldn’t confirm the payment of the ransom.

The Edo State police command’s spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, said intense and sustained pressure from the police and the local vigilante led to the release of the kidnapped chief Imam.

He said investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping of the victim with a view to track and arrest the perpetrators.

Yamu, who said the Chief Imam is in stable condition, added that he has since been reunited with his family.

While charging the public to remain vigilant and continue to support the Police with timely and credible information, he said no stone will be left unturned in identifying and apprehending those behind the kidnapping.

Kidnapped Chief Imam of Uromi regains freedom

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Buhari could have died earlier relying on Nigerian hospitals – Adesina

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11 hours ago

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July 15, 2025

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Former Special Adviser to the President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina

Buhari could have died earlier relying on Nigerian hospitals – Adesina

Former presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, has addressed the controversy surrounding the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari in a London hospital, offering a candid defense of the late leader’s decision to seek medical care abroad.

Speaking during a live broadcast on Channels Television as part of the special funeral coverage, Adesina responded to criticisms over Buhari’s long-standing reliance on foreign healthcare.

According to Adesina, those questioning why Buhari passed away in a UK hospital are missing the bigger picture. He stated firmly that Buhari had been receiving treatment in the United Kingdom long before he became president in 2015, and added that relying solely on Nigeria’s health system could have cost him his life much earlier.

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“President Buhari had been using London hospitals for years, even before he assumed office. His doctors over there were familiar with his history,” Adesina said.

He added that expecting the former president to abandon the doctors who understood his condition would have been unreasonable.

According to Adesina, many Nigerian hospitals do not have the medical expertise or advanced equipment necessary to handle the health challenges Buhari faced.

“Let’s be honest with ourselves: if he had depended on our local hospitals for that particular health issue, he may not have survived it. And perhaps, we would have lost him a long time ago,” he stated.

Discovererngr.com reports that Buhari, who died in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13, is being buried Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, with full state honours.

Buhari could have died earlier relying on Nigerian hospitals – Adesina

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