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Deceit, Betrayal, Clash as Siblings Goes to Court Over Lagos Property

Published

6 hours ago

Dec 23, 2024.

A dispute between two brothers, Richard and John Nwofia, has taken an unexpected turn with Richard’s arrest and subsequent remand in prison custody over a contested property in Lagos State.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the disagreement reportedly escalated when Richard allegedly chased John with a machete, attempting to inflict injury while also issuing threats against John and members of his family.

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The contested property in question is located at Oba Gbadamosi Street, Governor’s Road, in the Ikotun area of Lagos, where both brothers currently reside.

Seeking to secure a loan for his successful business, John reportedly informed Richard of his need for a property to use as collateral.

Richard agreed to let John complete the construction of the house, with the understanding that it would then be used to secure the necessary bank loan.

However, unbeknownst to Richard, John allegedly proceeded to change the property’s ownership documents to his own name without informing his brother.

This act of deception came to light after John had used the completed house as collateral to borrow money from the bank.

Upon learning of his brother’s actions, Richard demanded that John vacate the property, asserting that John had betrayed his trust and acted deceitfully.

John, however, refused to leave, insisting that the house was now his due to the change in documentation and his role in completing its construction.

When the matter went to the Police for investigation, John presented the documents, which bear his name to show that the house actually belongs to him.

Unknown to him, Richard had the original purchasing receipt of the land, which bears his own name and the matter became a subject of litigation before the Lagos State High Court over ownership after Richard served John quit notice as the landlord.

The situation worsened on 22nd November, 2024, when John went to Area M and reported the case of threat to life and assault against Richard.

The Police arrested, detained him for some days and charged before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.

Deceit, Betrayal, Clash as Siblings Goes to Court Over Lagos Property

The charges read:

SOUNT 1: “That you, Richard Nwofia ‘M’ on the 22nd November 2024 at about 1600hrs being Sunday at Oba Gbadamosi Street, off Governor’s Road, Ikotun, in the Lagos Magisterial District did unlawfully threaten with a machete and other weapons to chase one John Nwofia ‘M’ and with intent to inflict injury on him and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 57 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, of Nigeria 2015.

COUNT II: “That you Richard Nwofia ‘M’ on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace, by raining abusive words and calling Mr. John Nwofia and his family using provocating words in a public place that will led to breakdown of law and order and thereby committed an offence contrary to the law and punishable under Section 168 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT III: “That you, Richard Nwofia ‘M’ on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully, willfully damage Water Pipe, Electricity Wire and other items by preventing Mr. John Nwofia from having access to it and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 350 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence that brought him before the Court.