The Federal High Court in Lagos has intervened in a dispute over a property located at No. 68 Molade Okoya Thomas Street, off Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The court appointed a Receiver/Manager to take possession and control of the property, pending the hearing and determination of a suit filed by Mrs. Maryam Sani Abacha against Levitikal Realties & Construction Limited. This decision was made on September 29, 2026, by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa.
The court order restrained Levitikal Realties, its directors, agents, and representatives from selling, transferring, assigning, mortgaging, leasing, or otherwise encumbering the property. The order also barred the company from taking any step or carrying out any act that could interfere with or prejudice the subject matter of the suit. The property, covered by a Certificate of Occupancy dated July 4, 1988, is registered as No. 32 at Page 32 in Volume 1988B of the Lands Registry Office, Lagos State.
The dispute originated from a joint venture arrangement for the development of a high-rise property on the site. However, the landowner, Mrs. Abacha, terminated the joint venture agreement over alleged fundamental breaches by Levitikal Realties & Construction Limited. The court processes indicate that the dispute has generated parallel legal and alternative dispute-resolution proceedings, including the Federal High Court action and arbitration proceedings.
The court's intervention followed an ex-parte application filed by Abacha on September 10, 2026, through her counsel, Adedayo Adesina, SAN. The application led to the appointment of the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, or any officer of the court serving as Official Receiver, as Receiver/Manager to take possession, custody, and control of the disputed property.
Alternatively, the court approved the appointment of Bola Adebule & Company, Estate Surveyors & Valuers, or any other fit and reputable property management firm registered with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Agency, LASRERA, to take possession and control of the property. This move aims to prevent any further actions that could prejudice the subject matter of the suit.
Levitikal Realties was also restrained from representing or holding itself out to any third party as the owner of the property with the capacity to sell, transfer, mortgage, lease, or otherwise encumber it. This aspect of the order ensures that the status quo is maintained pending the hearing and final determination of the Motion on Notice.
The dispute between Mrs. Abacha and Levitikal Realties & Construction Limited is ongoing, with the court yet to determine the merits of the case. The appointment of a Receiver/Manager is a significant step in preserving the property and preventing any further disputes or actions that could complicate the matter.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Lagos has appointed a Receiver/Manager to take control of a disputed property on Victoria Island, Lagos.
- The court restrained Levitikal Realties from selling, transferring, or encumbering the property pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
- The dispute originated from a terminated joint venture agreement between Mrs. Maryam Sani Abacha and Levitikal Realties & Construction Limited.
