Court Orders Eviction of Ali Baba from N220m Property in AMCON Dispute

Veteran comedian Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, has been evicted from a property valued at N220 million in Victoria Island, Lagos, after the Federal High Court reversed its sale by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

The judgment was delivered on July 31, 2025, by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, who dismissed AMCON’s debt recovery suit against Harold Expansion Industries Nigeria Limited.

The court found that AMCON failed to produce key financial records and did not defend the counterclaim by Harold Expansion, which challenged the debt.

Justice Allagoa ruled that the sale of the property was invalid, ordered possession to be restored to the family of the late original owner and awarded N500 million in damages.

A writ of possession was issued on August 15, 2025, and court bailiffs enforced the order on August 28, removing Ali Baba and his media outfit, XQZMOI TV, from the premises at 324A Akin Ogunlewe Street, Victoria Island.

The property, a pair of ocean-view duplexes, had served as production studios for his company.

Ali Baba had bought the property in 2021 for N220 million from AMCON, despite the fact that the ownership dispute was still before the court and a preservation order had been issued.

Before the purchase, he had occupied the building as a tenant after AMCON evicted the original owner’s family.

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The case was linked to an alleged N617 million debt owed by Harold Expansion to the defunct Bank PHB, now Keystone Bank.

AMCON argued that selling the property helped recover part of the debt.

Harold Expansion insisted the loan had been restructured since 2008 and was still being serviced.

The court agreed with Harold Expansion and ruled against AMCON.

The eviction has drawn wide attention due to Ali Baba’s standing as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated comedians.

Legal analysts say the case underscores the risks associated with acquiring or leasing AMCON-controlled properties, particularly where litigation is ongoing.