Court Appoints Receiver Over Disputed Victoria Island Property in Abacha–Levitikal Suit
Written on
A Federal High Court in Lagos has appointed a receiver/manager to take control of a disputed high-rise property at No. 68 Molade Okoya Thomas Street, Victoria Island, pending the outcome of a suit filed by Dr Maryam Sani Abacha against Levitikal Realties & Construction Limited.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has appointed a receiver/manager to take possession and control of a disputed property at No. 68 Molade Okoya Thomas Street, off Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, in a suit instituted by Dr Maryam Sani Abacha against Levitikal Realties & Construction Limited.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, in an interim order issued on September 29, 2026, restrained Levitikal Realties, its directors, agents, representatives and servants from selling, transferring, assigning, mortgaging, leasing, charging, alienating or otherwise encumbering the property pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction. The order was made in Suit No. FHC/LAG/CS/1245/2026.
The property is covered by a Certificate of Occupancy dated July 4, 1988, and registered as No. 32 at Page 32 in Volume 1988B at the Lands Registry Office, Lagos State. The court's intervention followed an ex-parte application filed on September 10, 2026, through Abacha's counsel, Adedayo Adesina, SAN.
The judge appointed 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 property pending the hearing and final determination of the motion. Alternatively, the court approved the appointment of the property management company Bola Adebule & Company, Estate Surveyors & Valuers, or any other reputable property management firm registered with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Agency (LASRERA).
According to the court processes, the dispute originated from a joint venture arrangement for the development of a high-rise property on the site, which the landowner terminated over alleged fundamental breaches by Levitikal Realties. The court papers also reference a Notice of Dispute and Request for Mediation and/or Arbitration dated September 7, 2026, running alongside the Federal High Court action. Levitikal Group identifies Samuel Ajose as its chairman and chief executive officer, and the property had previously drawn the attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa authorised Abacha to publish the court's orders in national newspapers and online media to notify prospective purchasers, lenders and investors of the pending proceedings. The judge also directed the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 2, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the EFCC and other agencies to provide security and assistance for enforcement. The matter was adjourned to November 9, 2026, and the interim order is not a final determination of ownership.