Property Matters
Land dispute litigation, title recovery, property transaction advisory, and compulsory acquisition outcomes.
Property disputes in Nigeria can involve competing certificates of occupancy, family inheritance conflicts, fraudulent sales by non-owning vendors, government acquisition without proper compensation, and straightforward encroachment by neighbouring occupants. The outcomes below reflect the range of property and land law work handled by this firm — across both advisory and contentious matters.
Advisory
Pre-transaction due diligence — rival Certificate of Occupancy
Rival C of O discovered during due diligence before purchase funds transferred. Transaction restructured. Client's ₦45 million protected.
Due diligence completed: 10 days
State High Court
Land encroachment — recovery of possession
Order for recovery of possession obtained within 4 months. Trespasser removed. Property boundaries surveyed and secured.
Court order: 4 months
Court of Appeal
Title dispute — competing family claims, large parcel
Client's title confirmed on appeal after initial adverse ruling at trial court. Court of Appeal reversed trial court. Registry updated.
Appeal concluded: 11 months
Federal High Court
Compulsory acquisition — government taking without compensation
Compensation inadequacy challenged. Court ordered adequate compensation to be assessed and paid. Acquisition process regularised.
Judgment: 9 months
State High Court
Void sale — vendor sold land without title
Sale declared void. Full purchase price recovered with interest. Vendor held liable in deceit. Costs awarded.
Judgment: 12 months
Advisory / Land Registry
Developers — title registration for 40-unit development
Full title verification completed. Governor's Consent obtained. Individual C of O registration for all 40 units completed within agreed timeline.
Full registration: 6 months
State High Court
Contested probate — land forming estate asset
Rival claim to estate land dismissed. Letters of administration granted to lawful administrator. Title confirmed.
Probate proceedings: 8 months
State High Court
Trespass and damages — construction on client's land
Trespass established. Mandatory injunction to restore land obtained. Substantial damages awarded and paid.
Judgment and enforcement: 10 months