A dramatic and confrontational scene unfolded in Abuja's upscale Wuse II district on Tuesday morning as court sheriffs enforced an eviction order, forcibly transferring control of the former Cubana Lounge from businessman Obinna "Obi Cubana" Iyiegbu to fellow entrepreneur Collins Onwuzulike.
The operation, intended to execute a July 2025 court judgment, was marred by allegations of hired thugs obstructing officials and the unexplained disappearance of police escorts, casting a shadow over the enforcement process.
A High-Stakes Legal Battle Comes to a Head
The eviction is the latest chapter in a protracted legal dispute over ownership of the prime property at Plot 81, Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent.
According to court documents, Collins Onwuzulike, through his company **SEMC Investment Ltd.**, purchased the building from Rev. Chidiebere Amakaeze for **₦2 billion**. A Power of Attorney and Deed of Assignment were executed on May 1, 2024. However, Onwuzulike alleged he was unlawfully denied possession, leading him to file suit.
In a landmark ruling in July, Justice J.A. Aina of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwagwalada affirmed Onwuzulike's ownership. The court ordered all occupants to vacate immediately and directed security agencies, including the Inspector General of Police, to assist in enforcing the judgment.
A Chaotic Enforcement Under Pressure
Tuesday's enforcement, which began around 8 a.m., quickly escalated from a procedural event into a tense standoff. Witnesses reported that individuals believed to be hired thugs attempted to physically block court bailiffs from accessing the property. In a concerning development, court officials on the scene alleged that the police officers initially assigned to secure the operation suddenly vanished.
Despite these pressures and reported threats, the sheriffs proceeded. By mid-morning, workers were dismantling and removing assets from the premises, including generators, air conditioning units, and other fixtures. Distraught staff of the former lounge watched as an official eviction notice was posted, signaling the definitive end of Obi Cubana's control over the venue.
A Pattern of Judicial Confusion
This enforcement followed a previous, unsuccessful attempt in November 2025, when Onwuzulike briefly gained access only to be stopped by conflicting orders issued from a court in Bwari. This back-and-forth created an administrative deadlock, highlighting what legal observers describe as persistent coordination gaps within Nigeria's judicial system, especially concerning high-value commercial properties.
With Tuesday's operation, the court's July ruling appears to have been decisively executed, closing a contentious chapter in Abuja's nightlife scene. The incident underscores the complex and often turbulent intersection of business, law, and enforcement in Nigeria's capital.
*Source: Ripples Nigeria.*
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