Tension flared at the Federal High Court in Lagos as a bitter leadership dispute within the Divine Homes Residents’ Association took a dramatic turn, with allegations of contempt, abuse of court process, and conflicting legal representation dominating proceedings.
Justice Ambrose Lewis Allagoa adjourned the high-stakes case to May 11 and 12, 2026, after most of the alleged contemnors failed to appear in court despite a prior order mandating their attendance.
The contempt proceedings were initiated by estate resident, Henry Nwabueze , over a prolonged tussle for control of the association’s leadership. However, the hearing quickly shifted focus to explosive claims by defence counsel.
Lead counsel to the alleged contemnors, Abdullahi Tony Dania , launched a scathing attack on the suit, accusing Nwabueze of filing multiple cases on the same issue across courts and abandoning them when outcomes appeared unfavourable. He argued that several of the orders underpinning the contempt allegations were obtained through ex parte applications—without notifying affected parties.
Dania further alleged that the applicant had previously secured orders to freeze the association’s bank accounts through similar ex parte motions, only to abandon those suits and refile them before a different judge. According to him, such actions amount to a deliberate manipulation of the judicial process.
Adding another layer of controversy, the defence questioned the role of the applicant’s counsel, Rotimi Adakumo , alleging that he had at various times represented both the plaintiff and some of the defendants in related matters—raising concerns about possible conflict of interest.
Supporting the defence’s position, counsel Valentine Agwu, accused the applicant of using law enforcement agencies and multiple lawsuits to intimidate and frustrate members of the association.
But Adalumo firmly rejected the allegations, maintaining that his client’s actions were lawful and justified.
In a moment that underscored the charged atmosphere in court, a fresh ex parte application filed by the applicant was flagged by the court registrar during proceedings. The motion was swiftly withdrawn by Adalumo and struck out by the court.
Despite the controversy, Justice Lewis-Allagoa held that his earlier directive requiring all alleged contemnors to appear remains binding, stressing that their presence is crucial before the court can entertain further applications. He, however, granted the absent parties the benefit of the doubt.
As the case heads into its next hearing dates, the dispute continues to raise critical questions about legal strategy, procedural fairness, and the escalating conflict within the Divine Homes Residents’ Association.
