Court appoints interim receiver over disputed Lagos property linked to Maryam Abacha

The Federal High Court in Lagos has placed a Victoria Island property linked to Maryam Abacha, under interim receivership following a dispute between her and a property development company. Mrs Abacha is the widow of former Nigerian dictator, the late Sani Abacha.

According to the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court order shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, the judge, Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, issued the order on 29 September, appointing the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar or an official receiver as receiver/manager of the property at No. 68 Molade Okoya Thomas Street, off Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The judge also barred Levitikal Realties & Construction Limited, its agents, directors and others acting on its behalf from selling, transferring, assigning, mortgaging, leasing, charging or otherwise dealing with the property.

The order followed an ex parte application filed by Mrs Abacha in suit No. FHC/LAG/CS/1245/2026.

How the dispute started

According to an affidavit filed in support of the application, Mrs Abacha is the registered owner of the property covered by a Certificate of Occupancy dated 4 July 1988.

The affidavit, sworn by her son, Sadiq Mohammed Abacha, stated that she entered into a Property Development Joint Venture Agreement with Levitikal on 13 May 2021 for the redevelopment of the property into 18 three-bedroom flats.

Under the agreement, nine of the completed flats were to go to Levitikal as consideration for the development.

Mr Abacha said the agreement and a subsequent power of attorney did not transfer ownership of the land to Levitikal.

He alleged that the company later breached the agreement by failing to obtain statutory building approval and complete the project within the agreed period.

The affidavit noted that Mrs Abacha subsequently revoked the power of attorney in May and terminated the joint venture agreement.

The parties were expected to first attempt mediation and, if that failed, resolve the dispute through arbitration.

Alleged use as collateral

The affidavit also alleged that Levitikal used the property as collateral for credit facilities from Providus Bank Limited.

Mr Abacha stated that this was done despite Mrs Abacha’s position that Levitikal had no interest in the property that entitled it to use the land as security.

“The defendant presently possesses no assignable, transferable, registrable or chargeable interest capable of being used as collateral or security for any financial accommodation whatsoever,” he said in the affidavit.

He also alleged that the company continued to market the property to prospective buyers after the joint venture was terminated.

Those allegations have not been determined by the court.

Court orders

Under the court order, the deputy chief registrar of the Federal High Court or an official receiver is to take possession, custody and control of the property pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

The judge also allowed a property management firm, including Bola Adebule & Company, Estate Surveyors and Valuers, or another suitable firm registered with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority, to be appointed.

Mrs Abacha was authorised to publish the order in national newspapers and online media, at her own cost, to notify prospective purchasers, lenders, investors and other interested parties about the case.

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The Nigeria Police Force, Inspector-General of Police, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Lagos, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, EFCC and other relevant law enforcement agencies were directed to provide security and assistance in enforcing the order.

The order is interim and does not finally determine ownership of the property or the substantive rights of the parties.