Nigerian businessman Kola Aluko’s former Bel Air mansion sells for $28.5 million after tumultuous history

A Bel Air mansion that just sold for $28.5 million, more than $6 million over what it was purchased for last year, has a complicated history—one that includes Nigerian businessman Kola Aluko, an off-market deal, and a series of financial twists.

The property, located on Sarbonne Road, had been owned by Anthony and Josephine Antoci, the couple behind the pricey Erewhon markets, who put the home on the market almost immediately after buying it. They barely spent time there, listing it for rent soon after the deed was signed. At one point, it was priced at $200,000 per month.

Entrepreneur Dara Mir, who is known to reality TV fans as the soon-to-be ex-husband of attorney and businesswoman Lily Ghalichi, is the home’s new owner. He purchased it for $28.5 million, securing a deal that was $4.5 million less than the final asking price, and $8.5 million below the original $37 million list price.

The modern mansion, with six bedrooms and 10 bathrooms spread across 15,000 square feet, has been in the public eye for years. Aluko, who made his fortune as a Nigerian oil mogul, acquired the property for $24.5 million in 2012. However, after legal troubles in the U.S., Aluko faced government efforts to seize the property over allegations that he defrauded the Nigerian government of over a billion dollars.

Before any seizure could take place, records show that Thomas Flohr, founder of the private aviation company VistaJet, acquired the property in an off-market deal to settle a debt with Aluko. To avoid the seizure, Flohr paid $16 million for the home.

Flohr later re-listed the mansion for a hefty $63 million—a price that quickly dropped to $39.9 million. By May 2024, the Antocis swooped in and bought it for $22.5 million, securing the property at a significant discount.

The sprawling estate is tucked away in a gated enclave, with a long driveway that leads to a circular motor court. The dramatic entrance, featuring a wooden door surrounded by towering limestone walls, opens to a triple-height foyer. Inside, the mansion’s grandeur is evident with 16-foot ceilings, travertine floors, and a sculptural staircase. Glass walls throughout the home offer sweeping views and a seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Amenities include a formal living room with a wet bar, a city-view dining room, and a spacious great room that opens to the pool area. There’s also a sleek family kitchen, along with a secondary chef’s kitchen, ideal for messier culinary experiments. A wood-paneled study, a screening room with a second wet bar, and a fitness center with a gym complete the impressive layout.

The spa and infinity-edge lap pool are perched next to a large terrace, offering panoramic views of Los Angeles, all shaded by nine mature olive trees.
The sale was handled by Kevin Booker, David Parnes, and James Harris of Carolwood Estates, while Tyrone McKillen and Andrew Hurley of Plus Real Estate represented the buyers. (Billionaires Africa)