A COURT case was brought to a dramatic halt yesterday by a man claiming to be the son of a Nigerian chief.

Chief Obasola Atobatele was the previous owner of a £1m house at 17 Warnborough Road, North Oxford, which is now the subject of a county court hearing.

Chief Atobatele died in June 1989, and another Nigerian, Abbey Folami, is claiming ownership of the property.

He is trying to evict tenants Philip Brown and Kieron Halstead, who have lived there for a combined 41 years.

The case began in February but was adjourned until this week so Mr Folami could produce evidence.

It was due to be concluded today, after a three-day hearing.

But matters ground to a half when a third Nigerian man, Ade Atobatele, turned up. Mr Atobatele stood up in court as defence barrister John Clargo was about to begin his closing submission.

He claimed to be the son of Chief Atobatele and one of the administrators of his estate. He presented a birth certificate and passport.

Richard Devereux-Cooke, who is representing Mr Folami, told Recorder Alastair Wilson: “It is clear that an investigation is going on in Nigeria which has a direct impact on these proceedings.”

He added that evidence the chief’s son had shown him “went to the heart” of the case.

Mr Wilson decided to adjourn the hearing until the New Year.

Mr Atobatele said he had flown in from Nigeria after hearing about the case through the Oxford Mail.