Veteran Nigerian comedian, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, has been evicted from his multi-million-naira property in Victoria Island following a protracted ownership dispute.
The property, located at 324A Akin Ogunlewe Street, Victoria Island, was originally purchased by Ali Baba through his company, XQZMOI TV, from the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in 2021 for ₦220 million. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
The Dispute Behind the Luxurious Property
The building had been seized by AMCON, which claimed it was recovering debts allegedly owed by Harold Expansion Industries Nigeria Limited. However, the company disputed the debt, insisting that repayments had been made in full.
Their lawyer, Benjamin Olayiwola Sadibo, argued that AMCON wrongfully sold the property despite unresolved litigation.
The Court’s Verdict
On July 31, 2025, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court delivered a decisive ruling that changed the course of events.
The judge dismissed AMCON’s case, ruling that the corporation failed to provide sufficient evidence of the alleged debt.
Notably, AMCON could not produce a statement of account to back its claims.
Worse still, AMCON failed to file a defence against Harold Expansion’s counterclaim.
This omission left the court with no option but to side with Harold Expansion.
The court not only restored ownership of the property to its original family but also slammed AMCON with ₦500 million in damages.
Why Ali Baba Was Affected
Ali Baba’s troubles stem from the timing of his purchase. Court records showed that he acquired the property while the dispute was still ongoing, despite an existing preservation order.
Reports indicate that before buying it, Ali Baba had been a tenant of the property’s original owners, who were evicted when AMCON took over and sold it.
On August 15, 2025, bailiffs of the Federal High Court executed a writ of possession, evicting Ali Baba and his company from the property.
What This Means
This case underscores the risks of purchasing properties caught in legal battles. Despite paying ₦220 million, Ali Baba now faces the reality of losing his Victoria Island property, all because the original debt claim that led to its seizure could not stand in court.
The comedian is yet to make a public statement regarding the eviction.
