By Ghazali Ibrahim
A Lagos High Court has ordered a businesswoman and former NTA staff member, Funke Otti, to return a high-value property in Ikoyi to her ex-husband, Chief Isaac Morakinyo Jolapamo, and refund hundreds of millions of naira following a protracted dispute.
Delivering judgment, Justice Olufolake Adewunmi-Oshin ruled that the property located at 23A & B Olusegun Aina Street, Parkview Estate, rightfully belongs to Jolapamo. The court held that Otti unlawfully registered the property in her name despite being entrusted with funds meant for its purchase.
The court subsequently directed Otti to relinquish the property and refund N410,347,000, representing the outstanding balance from the sale of two vessels, M.T. MOR Prosperity and M.T. Power. She was also ordered to remit N63,000,000, being rental income collected from the property between 2018 and 2021. Additionally, the court awarded N5 million in general damages against her.
According to details presented in court, the couple met at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), where their relationship began and later developed into a romantic union. They formalised their marriage on February 23, 2017, at the Federal Marriage Registry in Ikoyi.
During the marriage, Jolapamo reportedly entrusted Otti with overseeing the sale of the vessels, with instructions to use the proceeds totalling N810,347,000 to acquire a matrimonial home in Parkview Estate. While the property was eventually purchased, it was registered solely in Otti’s name without his consent.
The dispute escalated after an overseas trip, during which Jolapamo alleged he was sent back to Nigeria by Otti, who later informed him via WhatsApp that she was no longer interested in the marriage and asked him to vacate the house.
The court’s ruling brings a legal resolution to the ownership dispute and financial claims arising from the breakdown of their marriage.
Meanwhile, this development adds to one of the frequent claims made by women over property of men in relationships.
