Jolapamo’s ex-wife Funke Otti’s lawyers quit case

By Lukman Olabiyi

The legal battle over a luxury property in Ikoyi, Lagos, involving former president of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Chief Isaac Morakinyo Jolapamo, and his estranged wife, Olufunke Olayinka Otti, has taken a fresh twist as the law firm representing Otti has withdrawn from the case.

In a letter dated May 21, 2026, legal practitioners Pinheiro LP informed Otti of its decision to discontinue representation in the matter involving the disputed property located at Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The letter, signed by Kazeem Afolabi, referenced Suit No. LD/3034LM/2020 between Jolapamo and Otti, alongside the appeal arising from the case.

“The firm has resolved to withdraw legal representation in respect of the above suit and the appeal arising therefrom,” the letter stated.

The firm added that the entire case file, including transmitted records of appeal, had been returned to Otti to enable her to seek new legal representation immediately.

The development comes amid an intensifying legal dispute between the former couple over ownership and control of the high-value property at 23A and 23B Olusegun Aina Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi.

The dispute followed the breakdown of the marriage contracted in February 2017 at the Federal Marriage Registry in Ikoyi.

Jolapamo had approached the Lagos State High Court through his counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), claiming that proceeds from the sale of two vessels — M.T. MOR PROSPERITY and M.T. MOR POWER — were entrusted to Otti for the acquisition of family assets but were allegedly used to purchase the Ikoyi property solely in her name.

In a judgment delivered on March 26, 2026, Justice O.O. Adewunmi-Oshun of the Lagos State High Court ruled in favour of Jolapamo.

The court held that the disputed property was acquired with proceeds from the sale of Jolapamo’s vessels and declared the property a trust asset held for his benefit.

The court restrained Otti and her companies from interfering with ownership and possession of the property and further ordered the defendants to refund over N410 million said to be outstanding from the vessel sale proceeds.

The court also ordered the remittance of N63 million allegedly generated as rental income from the property as well as an account of additional rents collected.

General damages of N5 million were equally awarded against Otti and her companies.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, Otti and her companies filed a notice of appeal and an application seeking a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal.

However, Jolapamo, in a counter‑affidavit opposing the application, urged the court not to halt execution of the judgment, insisting that he had already suffered years of emotional, financial and psychological hardship.

The retired shipping magnate told the court that he had effectively become homeless and currently lives in a hotel while unable to enjoy the benefits of the judgment delivered in his favour.

He also accused the defendants of allegedly demolishing part of the disputed property in December 2023 while the suit was still pending and attempting to sell portions of the property despite a subsisting caveat placed on it at the Lagos Lands Registry.

Jolapamo further alleged that two of his Toyota Land Cruiser Jeeps and personal belongings were removed from the property without his consent during the pendency of the suit.

The matter is expected to continue before the Lagos State High Court pending the determination of the application for stay of execution and the appeal process.