Prominent property developer Cecil Osakwe has lamented the growing challenges facing entrepreneurs in Nigeria, where business success in high-value sectors like real estate often attracts prolonged legal battles, repeated court adjournments and what he describes as a hostile environment that punishes rather than protects enterprise.
Osakwe, a lawyer and managing director of Alkire Partners Nig Ltd, who has faced multiple high-profile disputes including an ongoing ₦300 million alleged illegal eviction and property damage case in the Federal Capital Territory High Court, said the pattern is worrying.
“Land acquisition continues to be one of the most sensitive aspects of property development in Nigeria,” Osakwe stated.
“Developers must navigate complex ownership structures, verify land titles, and comply with regulatory requirements. Failure to conduct proper due diligence often leads to disputes, delays, and financial losses.”
In the case marked FCT/HC/CR/222/2023, Osakwe and co-defendants, including lawyer Victor Giwa, face a nine-count charge bordering on criminal intimidation, threat to life, forceful eviction and destruction of property estimated at ₦300 million.
Court proceedings have been repeatedly stalled, with arraignment adjourned multiple times as the Director of Public Prosecution reviews the charges. At recent hearings, not all defendants were present, prompting further delays.
While the merits of individual cases rest with the courts, Osakwe’s experience mirrors a broader trend affecting entrepreneurs across real estate, manufacturing, fintech and infrastructure.
Business disagreements that should be resolved through civil processes are frequently escalated into criminal allegations, triggering investigations and long-drawn court appearances.
One entrepreneur, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal, said: “When you succeed in high-value sectors, you suddenly become a target. What starts as a civil land dispute quickly turns into a criminal case. The process itself becomes the punishment.”
He noted: “Nigeria often celebrates entrepreneurship in policy speeches and investment summits, hailing the private sector as the engine of growth.
“In reality, many business owners face reputational damage long before any verdict, operational disruptions from endless court dates, mounting legal fees and stalled projects that deter investors.”
Osakwe highlighted additional structural issues in the real estate sector. “Despite this demand, many projects struggle due to gaps in planning, financing, and execution,” he noted.
“With my experience, the issue is not a lack of opportunity. It is the need for stronger project structuring, disciplined execution, and long-term thinking.”
The overburdened Nigerian judicial system, plagued by backlogs, turns delays into an effective form of pressure. For entrepreneurs, time is capital. Prolonged cases can lead to lost financing opportunities, expired contracts, abandoned developments and workforce instability. Even when cleared, the damage to business momentum is often irreversible.
Concerns are rising in the business community over the perceived selective use of law enforcement agencies in what are essentially commercial disputes.
This has led many entrepreneurs to operate defensively, diverting energy from innovation and expansion to legal protection and risk avoidance.
The ripple effects hurt the national economy. Nigeria competes globally for capital, but investors prioritise predictability and institutional fairness.
When successful entrepreneurs appear vulnerable to legal uncertainty, capital flows elsewhere, local businesses scale cautiously, and informal models thrive over formal, job-creating enterprises.
Accountability is essential, Osakwe and others agree. Genuine wrongdoing must be investigated and prosecuted fairly.
