Failed property sale: Business woman asks court to recover N16m
A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja is set to determine a dispute involving an alleged failed property transaction between a businesswoman, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olanrewaju Ajibewa, and Dr. Adebola Bibire
A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja is set to determine a dispute involving an alleged failed property transaction between a businesswoman, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olanrewaju Ajibewa, and Dr. Adebola Bibire Shofowora.
Ajibewa claimed she paid ₦16 million to Shofowora for a shop that was never allocated to her. She is seeking recovery of the money, interest on the money, damages, and the cost of the legal action.
The claimant's lawyers said they will rely on bank transfer records and electronic communications between the parties as evidence during the trial.
The court filings further revealed that during discussions about repayment, the defendant(Shofowora) claimed that he had become a traditional ruler in Ososa area of Ogun State and that he would repay the money at his own pace.
The controversial transaction has led to two separate legal proceedings currently pending before the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Judicial Division.
According to a statement of claim of a civil suit filed on March 10, 2026, Mrs. Ajibewa
Read Also: Why Nigeria must pursue diplomacy to safeguard national sovereignty, by Tuggar
claimed that Dr. Shofowora represented to her that he had the authority to sell a shop to her.
The claimant averred that the parties initially agreed on a purchase price of ₦15 million, which was later increased to ₦16 million, and that the full amount was subsequently paid through bank transfers.
However, the claimant alleges that despite receiving the full payment, the defendant (Shofowora) failed to transfer the shop to her.
Court documents further stated that the defendant allegedly demanded an additional ₦4 million, citing an increase in the price of properties. Ajibewa, however, declined to pay the additional amount because she had already paid the revised agreed price of ₦16 million.
The claimant claimed that it was during this disagreement that she allegedly discovered that the same shop had already been sold to another buyer for approximately ₦40 million, which is more than double the original agreed price.
The claimant further claimed that despite reselling the property, the defendant has continued to retain the ₦16 million paid by her for over two years without refunding the money.
According to the pleadings before the court, the claimant's lawyer, Babatunde Jinadu, stated that several attempts were made to resolve the matter amicably.
In the Written Statement on Oath filed before the court, it is alleged that the defendant acknowledged the money but stated that if he were to repay it, he would do so in instalments of ₦1 million at a time.
The dispute has also led to a separate Fundamental Rights Enforcement suit filed by Dr. Shofowora, which is currently pending before Honourable Justice R. M. Adewale of the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Judicial Division.
In that suit, Dr. Shofowora alleged threats to his fundamental rights in connection with the failed property sale.
However, Mrs. Ajibewa, in a Counter-Affidavit, opposed the application, arguing that the matter concerns a commercial transaction and not a violation of constitutional rights.
In her counter-affidavit, Ajibewa further stated that the Shofowora has not been arrested, detained, or invited by law enforcement authorities in relation to the dispute.
Both suits remained pending before the High Court of Lagos State, while the parties are expected to present their respective cases before the court for determination.
