Abacha Family Joint Venture Dispute: Fundamental breaches supported by evidence – 18 Units partitioned into 44
Court Case Centers on Property Dispute in Victoria Island
The ongoing legal dispute over a property located at No. 68 Molade Okoya Thomas Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, underscores significant tensions between the original property owner, Dr. (Mrs.) Maryam Sani Abacha, and Levitikal Realties & Construction Limited. Court documents and contractual agreements suggest that the property was to be developed strictly for 18 units of three-bedroom apartments, with no transfer of unrestricted ownership to Levitikal.
According to the agreement, nine completed apartments were designated as compensation for Levitikal’s development work, while the remaining nine were to remain the property of Mrs. Abacha. Upon completion, Mrs. Abacha was to execute Deeds of Assignment for those nine units to Levitikal or its nominees. However, due to the ongoing legal disputes, any potential purchasers may need to await resolution before obtaining such deeds.
A significant concern in this case is Levitikal’s alleged attempt to transform a contractual development agreement into a broader claim of ownership over the underlying land. This controversy intensified when Levitikal reportedly partitioned the development into over 44 units, which included one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments, deviating from the previously agreed-upon 18 units.
The unilateral changes have raised critical questions about the contractual authority governing these additional developments, as well as the ownership rights associated with them. Furthermore, there are allegations that Levitikal obstructed the Abacha family from accessing the property, despite multiple requests for information about the status of the development.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has become involved, ongoing investigations focus on the sale of these partitioned units to uninformed buyers. Previous reports indicate that the EFCC has flagged the property as part of its ongoing inquiries.
In addition to these concerns, there is a related dispute regarding Levitikal’s effort to register a Power of Attorney to facilitate its control over the property. This issue is currently before the High Court of Lagos State, with a lawsuit initiated by Providus Bank Limited and Levitikal. The Abacha family was not originally included in the proceedings but later joined through a High Court order.
On September 29, 2026, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered a receiver/manager to take possession of the property. The court also imposed restrictions against Levitikal and its representatives from engaging in any actions that may affect the property, including selling or transferring ownership, pending the resolution of arbitration proceedings.
While this order is temporary and does not settle the core legal questions, it marks a significant measure to protect the disputed property until disputes are resolved. Central to this matter is a straightforward contractual question: Did the initial agreement grant Levitikal ownership of the land, or merely the right to develop it under specific conditions?
If the contract was intended solely for an 18-unit development, with the developer entitled to nine units as consideration, any further project expansion or creation of additional proprietary interests would necessitate explicit contractual backing.
Current evidence tends to support Mrs. Abacha’s position that she retains ownership of the land, with Levitikal’s role limited to development, not unrestricted control.
This case highlights broader implications for Nigeria’s real estate sector, particularly regarding the rights granted to developers in joint venture arrangements. Stakeholders, especially those who may have purchased units, are encouraged to monitor the proceedings closely, as the outcome could significantly affect their interests in the property.
