Justice Othman Musa of the Abuja High Court has ordered the sealing of a disputed waterfront property located within the Lekki Peninsula Scheme area of Lagos State, pending the determination of a civil suit arising from a commercial land transaction between private parties.

The order followed an ex parte application filed by one of the parties to the dispute, Mr. Henry Ugonna Orabuchi, who is seeking judicial intervention over disagreements connected to the ownership, documentation, and regulatory status of the property.

According to court documents, Orabuchi said he was introduced to Elvis Eze in 2022 through an intermediary, who presented Eze as the owner of a waterfront property in Lekki, Lagos. He was told that a section of the land was waterlogged and would need sand filling, after which parts of the property would be offered for sale.

Orabuchi said, “I subsequently signed an agreement to acquire 3,000 square metres of the reclaimed land for an agreed consideration. Additional funds were paid at various stages of the transaction, based on representations made during the course of the agreement.

“Documents presented to me included a Lagos State Certificate of Occupancy covering the adjoining land, with assurances that necessary consents for the reclaimed portion would be derived from the same root of title. The agreement also reportedly provided that access to the waterfront portion would be through the adjoining developed property.”

In his account, Mr. Orabuchi stated that following the sand‑filling exercise, issues arose concerning regulatory assessments and the extent of land recognised by relevant authorities.

He further claimed that disagreements followed over documentation and the perfection of title to the portion he contracted to purchase.

Orabuchi also referenced regulatory actions by Lagos State agencies during assessments conducted on the property, which he said raised additional concerns regarding compliance with applicable planning and building regulations. These developments, he maintained, prompted him to seek formal clarification and legal protection.

Court documents indicate that Orabuchi petitioned the Nigeria Police over the transaction, after which the matter was referred for investigation.

While those investigations were ongoing, he alleged that subsequent actions led him to seek relief before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/4636/2025, Orabuchi approached the court, seeking the enforcement of his fundamental rights and interim measures to preserve the disputed property pending the resolution of the dispute.

Upon considering the application, the court granted an interim order directing that the disputed property be sealed and that all activities on the premises be suspended until the matter is heard and determined.

The ex parte order read in part, “That an Interim Injunction is hereby made restraining the 1st to 4th Respondents, either by themselves or through any of the 1st Respondent’s commands, formations, units, agents, operatives or officers under its command, from inviting, arresting, detaining, harassing, intimidating or howsoever dealing adversely with the Applicant in connection with the subject matter of this suit, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

“That an Interim Order is hereby made directing the 2nd Respondent, through the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Lagos State, and the 6th Respondent to seal and secure the entire property known and described as Plot No. A, Block 12, Lekki Peninsula Scheme, Lagos State, including the reclaimed land at the back of the property measuring 3,000 square metres.

“Forthwith, and to immediately halt all works, activities, actions, or steps on the said property while ensuring that no person, authority, or entity howsoever described is permitted access to or entry upon the property pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit before this Honourable Court.” (PUNCH)

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