The majority shareholder of Next Foods Ltd, Mr. Ndibe Obi—who is the younger brother of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi—has filed a lawsuit to challenge the demolition of the company’s property located in Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
In an interview on Thursday in Awka, Chief Emeka Okpoko, SAN, legal counsel to Next Foods Ltd, confirmed that the company has already initiated legal proceedings to contest the demolition. He disclosed that several legal applications have been filed to address various aspects of the case.
According to Okpoko, “We have filed an application to be joined as parties to the matter and to amend the original processes to include our client’s name. We are also seeking to set aside the judgment, apply for a stay of further execution, and request an injunction pending the determination of the substantive case.”
He further explained that the company is pushing for the conversion of the originating summons to pleadings, to allow both parties to present their arguments and enable the court to make a fair decision based on the merits of the case.
Background of the Property
Recounting the history of the disputed property, Okpoko noted that Next Foods Ltd purchased the land in 2011, and received governor’s consent in 2013. He maintained that the property had remained free of dispute until the recent demolition.
“The property is fully documented under a deed of assignment that traces its ownership back to the era of Western Nigeria, when the land registry was located in Ibadan,” he said.
Okpoko recounted that the demolition began under questionable circumstances. “I was informed last Friday that some individuals came claiming they were executing a court order. On investigation, we found they presented a Form 41 referencing a debt of only ₦5,700 and an order to recover goods and chattels—not to demolish a structure,” he explained.
The original case, according to Okpoko, was between one Deborah Olonwulogbo vs Unknown Persons, and it was based on an originating summons intended for possession—not ownership or title.
Allegations of Procedural Misconduct
He raised concerns about how the court processes were carried out, noting that while there was a motion for substituted service, there is suspicion that the notice may have been posted in a concealed location or removed by unidentified persons, preventing the company from being aware of the ongoing litigation.
Despite the judgment being delivered in 2024, the demolition only occurred in June 2025, which Okpoko argues is beyond the legal timeframe for executing such judgments, which is typically within six months.
He stressed that Next Foods Ltd was not served with any court notices and had no prior knowledge of the legal action until the demolition took place.
Questioning the Validity of C of O
Further complicating the matter, Okpoko revealed that those behind the demolition presented a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) obtained in 2025. Prior to that, a federal C of O dated 2021 from the Federal Ministry of Works in Ikoyi was produced.
“Our own title documents go as far back as 2011, with the Lagos State governor’s consent in 2013,” he said. “To the best of my understanding, a federal C of O should not be valid for land situated in Ikeja GRA, a clearly state-administered territory.”
He expressed doubts over the validity of new land approvals in Ikeja GRA, describing the area as already fully developed, and questioned whether any genuine approval could still be issued at this stage.
Compliance with Lagos State Requirements
Okpoko maintained that Next Foods Ltd has been diligent in fulfilling its obligations to the state, including annual filings and payments to the Lagos State government. He assured that the company possesses documentary evidence of such compliance, which will be submitted as part of the ongoing legal process.
In conclusion, Okpoko expressed confidence in the strength of their case, stating that once the court hears their side of the story, he believes the court will rule in their favor.
“These are the issues we will raise in court. I’m confident that, having established our ownership and shown that due process was not followed, we will succeed,” he affirmed.
