Lagos, Nigeria — Businessman Henry Ugonna Orabuchi has issued a strongly worded rejoinder to allegations made by Elvis Emecheta over the disputed Lekki waterfront property, currently under court seal.
In his press statement, Mr. Orabuchi declared: “The attention of Mr. Henry Ugonna Orabuchi has been drawn to a reckless, defamatory and misleading publication credited to Mr. Elvis Emecheta, in which he attempted, unsuccessfully, to divert public attention from the serious legal, regulatory and criminal issues surrounding the disputed Lekki waterfront property currently under court seal.”
He added: “Mr. Orabuchi categorically states that Mr. Emecheta’s publication is not only false and malicious but also a desperate attempt to intimidate the media, mislead the public and cover up facts already established by documents, regulatory actions and subsisting court processes.”
Mr. Orabuchi insisted: “I am a legitimate businessman whose source of funds for the acquisition of the 3,000 square metres reclaimed waterfront land is well documented, lawful and fully traceable. The transaction in question was entered into in good faith, backed by a valid contract of sale, and the entire purchase price including an additional ₦100 million demanded by Mr. Emecheta was fully paid.”
He described Emecheta’s accusations as baseless: “It is therefore absurd for Mr. Emecheta, who collected billions of naira, to turn around and label the purchaser a ‘land grabber’ simply because the buyer insisted on performance of contractual obligations and compliance with the law.”
Mr. Orabuchi pointed out contradictions: “Mr. Emecheta has publicly claimed that the reclamation process is still ongoing. Yet, in clear contradiction, he proceeded to assign portions of the same reclaimed waterfront land to multiple business entities and a church, with documents, while refusing and failing to release or perfect title documents in favour of Mr. Orabuchi, the lawful purchaser of 3,000 square metres.”
He posed three questions:
- “How can land allegedly ‘still under reclamation’ be assigned to third parties?”
- “Why was Mr. Orabuchi deliberately excluded after full payment?”
- “Why were documents selectively issued to others?”
Mr. Orabuchi stated: “Contrary to Mr. Emecheta’s narrative, Lagos State regulatory authorities confirmed that several structures on the property were illegal, lacking valid approvals and proper documentation. This led to the lawful intervention and removal actions by the Lagos State Building Control Authority (LASBCA). These regulatory actions were not instigated by Mr. Orabuchi but were the result of government assessments, further exposing the misrepresentations made by Mr. Emecheta at the point of sale.”
He explained: “It is on record that Mr. Orabuchi lawfully petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over alleged obtaining of money by false pretence, criminal breach of trust and related offences. The IGP, after review, directed investigation by Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos.”
“Mr. Emecheta, rather than submit himself to this investigation, ran to Abuja to file a parallel petition which the IGP redirected to Zone-2 to further the investigation, in clear violation of police directives on duplication of cases, an act which strongly suggests an attempt to pervert the course of justice.”
“Ironically, Mr. Emecheta now raises jurisdictional arguments, forgetting that he was the first to approach Abuja, while Mr. Orabuchi only sought the protection of the Federal High Court Abuja after persistent harassment and threats, despite clear IGP directives.”
Mr. Orabuchi emphasized: “I never gagged the media. A practicing journalist lawfully sought my response and I exercised my constitutional right to freedom of expression by stating verifiable facts already before the courts.”
He added: “It is therefore hypocritical for Mr. Emecheta who was the first to go to the media with insults, name calling and prejudicial statements to now threaten media houses for reporting the other side of the story.”
Mr. Orabuchi clarified: “The sealing of the disputed Lekki waterfront property was carried out strictly pursuant to a valid ex parte order of a court of competent jurisdiction, issued to preserve the res and prevent a breach of public peace pending the determination of the matter.”
He continued: “Mr. Emecheta’s own publications, filled with contradictions and emotional outbursts, further confirm that serious legal and ownership issues subsist on the property, reinforcing why the court’s intervention was necessary.”
- “I am the lawful purchaser of 3,000 square metres of reclaimed waterfront land. I fulfilled all financial obligations under the contract.”
- “I will not be intimidated by media blackmail or defamatory publications.”
- “All documents, agreements, payment records and regulatory reports are before courts of competent jurisdiction.”
- “I therefore warn members of the public and prospective investors to exercise extreme caution in any dealings with Mr. Elvis Emecheta, as the disputed Lekki waterfront property remains the subject of ongoing civil and criminal proceedings.”
- “The matter is firmly before the courts, and no amount of propaganda can alter the facts, the documents, or the law.”
