The Federal High Court in Lagos has placed a Victoria Island property linked to Maryam Abacha under interim receivership amid a dispute with Levitikal Realties
Court Seizes Control of Maryam Abacha-Linked Lagos Property Amid Developer Dispute
The Federal High Court in Lagos has placed a Victoria Island property linked to Maryam Abacha, widow of former military Head of State Sani Abacha, under interim receivership amid a legal dispute with a property development company.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa made the order on September 29, 2026, according to a Certified True Copy of the ruling seen on Friday.
The order appointed the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar or an official receiver as receiver and manager of the property located at No. 68 Molade Okoya Thomas Street, off Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The judge also restrained Levitikal Realties & Construction Limited, its directors, agents and anyone acting on its behalf from selling, transferring, assigning, mortgaging, leasing, charging or otherwise dealing with the property pending further proceedings.
The order followed an ex parte application filed by Abacha in suit number FHC/LAG/CS/1245/2026.
In an affidavit filed in support of the application, Abacha’s son, Sadiq Mohammed Abacha, stated that his mother is the registered owner of the property, which is covered by a Certificate of Occupancy dated July 4, 1988.
He said Abacha entered into a Property Development Joint Venture Agreement with Levitikal on May 13, 2021, under which the property was to be redeveloped into 18 three-bedroom flats.
According to the affidavit, nine of the completed units were to be allocated to Levitikal as consideration for the development arrangement.
Sadiq further stated that neither the joint venture agreement nor a subsequent power of attorney transferred ownership of the land to Levitikal.
He alleged that the company breached the agreement by failing to obtain the required statutory building approval and complete the development within the agreed period.
According to him, Abacha subsequently revoked the power of attorney in May 2026 and terminated the joint venture agreement.
The affidavit stated that the parties were expected to first attempt mediation and, if unsuccessful, proceed to arbitration.
Abacha’s son also alleged that Levitikal used the property as collateral for credit facilities obtained from Providus Bank Limited, despite allegedly having no interest in the land capable of being pledged 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,” Sadiq stated in the affidavit.
He further alleged that Levitikal continued to market the property to prospective buyers after the joint venture agreement had been terminated.
However, the allegations contained in the affidavit have not been determined by the court, and the interim order does not amount to a final determination of the parties’ rights in the property.
Pending the hearing of the motion on notice, the court directed the Deputy Chief Registrar or an official receiver to take possession, custody and control of the property.
The interim receivership effectively places the disputed property under the control of the court’s appointed receiver while the underlying legal dispute proceeds.
