Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has lamented the disregard for court processes by a woman laying claim to his brother’s property in the Ikeja GRA area of Lagos State.
Recall that on June 24, 2025, the property belonging to Next Foods Limited, which Obi’s younger brother, Ndibe Obi, is the majority shareholder, was invaded on the grounds of a purported court judgment in favour of Deborah Olorunlogbon against “unknown persons.”
Obi’s younger brother, whose company had been in control of the property since 2011 when he acquired it, was unaware that the Ms Olorunlogbon was contending ownership of his property and had gone to court against persons she tagged as “unknown.”
In the one sided court hearing since Obi’s brother said he was not served, Ms Olorunlogbon secured a favourable court judgment, and swiftly mobilised bulldozers to the premises.
When those securing the property saw bulldozers, they quickly alerted Obi’s brother. Through his lawyer, Emeka Okpoko, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and lawyer to Next Foods Limited, they filed a court action to halt the demolition.
But Obi lamented that the court action has not stopped those who invaded the property.
In a post on his X handle on August 2, Obi said the woman has continued to develop the property despite the court action.
He said: “It is profoundly disheartening that, notwithstanding the pendency of several applications before the court—including duly filed and served committal proceedings—the individual who unlawfully entered the premises of Next Foods Limited in Ikeja GRA has continued to act with brazen impunity, showing utter disregard for both the authority of the court and the sanctity of public order.
“It is a well-established principle of law, and indeed of civil society, that once parties have submitted their grievances to the judiciary, they are duty-bound to maintain the status quo and allow the court to determine the issues before it. Any deviation from this principle not only undermines the justice system but also sets a dangerous precedent for lawlessness.
“My younger brother, who serves as the Chairman of Next Limited, and I have spared no effort in trying to identify and reach out to the woman who lays claim to the property in question, with the sincere intention of exploring a peaceful and amicable resolution. Regrettably, all such efforts have yielded no fruitful outcome, as she remains evasive and inaccessible.”