Renowned Nigerian comedian Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, has been evicted from his multi-million-naira mansion in Victoria Island, Lagos, following a contentious legal battle over property ownership. The eviction, carried out on August 28, 2025, by bailiffs of the Federal High Court, has sparked widespread discussion across Nigeria, with details emerging from multiple sources.
The property, located at 324A Akin Ogunlewe Street, was purchased by Ali Baba in 2021 for ₦220 million from the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). AMCON claimed the sale was part of efforts to recover debts allegedly owed by Harold Expansion Industries Nigeria Limited, amounting to ₦617 million from loans dating back to 2008. However, the Federal High Court, in a ruling on July 31, 2025, by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, nullified the sale, declaring it invalid due to an existing preservation order on the property at the time of purchase. The court ordered the property’s return to the family of the deceased original owner, along with ₦500 million in damages against AMCON.
Court records reveal Ali Baba was a tenant of the original owner before AMCON’s intervention, and his purchase occurred despite ongoing litigation, a factor that contributed to his culpability in the case. The eviction was executed following a writ of possession issued on August 15, 2025, affecting both Ali Baba and his company, XQZMOI TV.
The news has elicited varied reactions on platforms like X, with some expressing sympathy for the comedian, while others criticized his decision to purchase the property amid a legal dispute. One user remarked, “Ali Baba should’ve known better than to buy a property under litigation,” reflecting sentiments of skepticism, while supporters highlighted his contributions to Nigerian comedy, calling the situation unfortunate.
Ali Baba, often hailed as the “King of Comedy,” has yet to publicly comment on the eviction. The incident adds to the challenges faced by the veteran entertainer, who recently celebrated the birth of triplets with his wife, Mary Akpobome, and continues to influence Nigeria’s entertainment industry through his media ventures.
As the legal fallout continues, the case underscores the complexities of property transactions in Nigeria and the role of AMCON in debt recovery, leaving many to question the transparency of such processes. The comedian’s next steps remain uncertain, but the eviction has undoubtedly cast a shadow over his storied career.