TRUE STORY: Ali Baba Evicted From Victoria Island Mansion After Buying Property While Court Case Was Still Pending

 

Popular Nigerian comedian and actor, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, widely known as Ali Baba, has lost his Victoria Island residence after the Federal High Court ruled that the property was unlawfully sold to him during an unresolved legal battle. The eviction was carried out on August 15, 2025, following a writ of possession signed by the court.

The disputed mansion was originally taken over by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, which claimed it was part of properties belonging to Harold Expansion Industries Nigeria Limited, a company allegedly indebted to financial institutions. In 2021, AMCON sold the house to Ali Baba for N220 million in what appeared to be a government-approved transaction.

However, the sale occurred while the true ownership of the property was still being contested in court. At the time, the original landlord, who had leased the mansion to Ali Baba before AMCON’s takeover, had already challenged AMCON’s actions and secured a preservation order. This order meant the property should not have been sold until the litigation was resolved.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, delivering judgment on July 31, 2025, concluded that AMCON failed to provide evidence proving Harold Expansion Industries owed the alleged debts. The court ruled that the corporation had wrongfully dispossessed the original owner. As a result, AMCON’s sale of the house to Ali Baba was declared null and void.

The court further imposed a fine of N500 million in damages against AMCON for the unlawful seizure. By implication, Ali Baba’s purchase had no legal foundation because the asset was tied up in a dispute and never rightfully available for sale.

His eviction became inevitable once the court ordered the return of the property to its rightful owner. The writ of possession was executed two weeks after the ruling, forcing Ali Baba and his company, XQZMOI TV, to vacate the premises.

Legal commentators argue that the comedian’s involvement was largely a consequence of poor timing and inadequate due diligence. Although he had paid N220 million, he bought a property already under judicial preservation, making the transaction risky from the start.

Supporters of the entertainer say he was a victim of circumstances, given that AMCON presented the sale as valid and legally binding. Others insist that as a tenant of the original owner, he should have been aware of the legal dispute and cautious about purchasing.

Beyond the personal setback to Ali Baba, the judgment highlights recurring issues with AMCON’s handling of distressed assets. Buyers who enter into transactions with the corporation sometimes face similar legal battles when properties are later returned to original owners. This case, analysts suggest, will likely force buyers to exercise greater caution and demand clear legal clearance before acquiring such assets.

For Ali Baba, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated pioneers of stand-up comedy, the loss of the mansion marks a painful turn. Yet, legal experts note he may still pursue a case against AMCON to recover the N220 million he paid, since the sale was invalidated. Such a process, however, could take years given the complexities of restitution claims in Nigerian courts.

The ruling ultimately underscores the risks of buying property that is subject to litigation. It also stands as a reminder that possession through government intervention is not guaranteed if due process has not been strictly followed. Ali Baba’s ordeal is now a reference point in discussions about property rights, judicial preservation orders, and the obligations of asset management agencies to act transparently.