In the heart of Nigeria’s booming real estate sector lies a growing rot, not from armed criminals or known conmen, but from those in tailored suits—developers and their legal allies. These individuals, according to Dr. Yusuf Ademola Haroun, popularly known as Dr. Love and founder of the Love for Health Organization, are building not homes but “empires of deceit.”
The real estate sector in cities like Lagos has become a fertile ground for exploitation, with property developers and collaborating lawyers allegedly deceiving unsuspecting land buyers and joint venture partners through fraudulent deals, forged documentation, and contractual trickery.
“They prey on diligent Nigerians who desire to own property, and they lure them in with trust,” Dr. Love said.
These fraudulent schemes often begin with what appears to be a legitimate property deal or a promising joint venture project. Developers present themselves as trustworthy partners, often convincing landowners to sign joint venture agreements with the promise of modern flats, shared profits, or timely construction. But once agreements are signed, the reality shifts.
Many victims find their projects abandoned, or worse, the properties resold or used as collateral for loans without their consent. Meanwhile, the lawyers involved claim ignorance or shield themselves behind legal “technicalities” embedded in ambiguous contracts.
It’s a story many Nigerians know too well: after years of saving, a buyer acquires land through what appears to be a credible source—only to later discover multiple claims of ownership, a government revocation, or a pending lawsuit. Victims are further devastated to find the same lawyer who processed their documents now defending the scammer in court.
“Their concern isn’t shelter and riches for the ordinary Nigerian; their concern is how much money they can take out of a piece of land,” Dr. Love stated emphatically.
While states like Lagos have attempted to curb the crisis—through the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) which now blacklists rogue developers—the problem remains deeply rooted. Enforcement is slow, legal redress drags on for years, and justice is rarely seen.
Dr. Love believes the system must act swiftly and decisively: “If Nigeria is sincerely committed to prosecuting real estate fraud, its courts will have no choice but to be in a rush. Cases of land and housing fraud need to be treated with the seriousness of economic sabotage.”
According to Dr. Love, legislative measures are not enough. He insists that true reform will only come when criminal developers and their legal accomplices begin to face serious consequences—starting with public trials, disbarments, and prison time.
“Real reform will take more than legislation. It will come when criminal justice is served to unscrupulous developers spending more time behind prison bars than building homes on land illegally obtained.”
Until reform becomes reality, Nigerians are left to tread carefully. In a country where even one’s own attorney can be part of the fraud, vigilance is not just important—it is essential for survival.