Follow Us on Google
By Lukman Olabiyi
A property dispute involving Ardova Plc and the Lagos State Government has escalated, following a police investigation that recommended possible criminal prosecution and the filing of a N5 billion suit before the Lagos State High Court.
At the centre of the dispute is a property located at 12,Thompson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos, which Familia Limited claimed it purchased from Forte Oil Plc in 2013, prior to the company’s acquisition and subsequent rebranding as Ardova Plc.
An interim police report dated December 16, 2025, issued by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon Annex, Lagos, followed a petition filed on behalf of Familia Ltd alleging conspiracy, unlawful invasion, malicious damage and threat to life.
According to the report, signed by CSP Taiwo Oyewale, Familia Ltd stated that it acquired the property for N1 billion through a Deed of Assignment dated August 18, 2013, and had remained in possession for about 12 years.
The company further claimed that its lease was renewed and extended for another 99 years by the Lagos State Government in February 2024.
Familia alleged that on August 8, 2025, officials of Ardova Plc, accompanied by operatives of the Lagos State Task Force and Monitoring Unit, entered the premises, ejected its staff and demolished a bungalow on the property.
The company claimed that two 40-foot containers bearing Ardova’s name were subsequently placed on the land.
During the investigation, police said they examined documents presented by Familia Ltd and sought verification from the Lagos State Ministry of Lands, Alausa.
A former Chief Finance Officer of Forte Oil Plc, Julius Owatuga, was reportedly invited as a witness and stated that the property was sold to Familia in 2013, with payment reflected in the company’s financial records for that year.
He was also said to have indicated that the property was not listed among assets transferred during the acquisition of Forte Oil, which later became Ardova Plc.
In his statement to investigators, Ardova’s Managing Director, Moshood Olajide, reportedly maintained that a search at the Lands Registry showed the property remained registered in the name of British Petroleum, the former owner of Forte Oil.
He stated that the company sought police assistance to take possession of what it believed to be its property.
The police report, however, concluded that Familia Ltd was the rightful owner, having lawfully purchased the property before the acquisition of Forte Oil.
It stated that offences including conspiracy, unlawful invasion, malicious damage and threat to life were established, recommending that the case file be forwarded to the legal section for advice and possible prosecution.
Despite the report’s findings, it was gathered that task force officials and police personnel remain on the property.
Separately, Familia Ltd has filed a suit before the High Court of Lagos State against Ardova Plc and the Attorney General of Lagos State, seeking declarations affirming its legal and equitable title to the property.
The claimant is relying on a 1946 principal indenture, a 1967 land certificate registered under Title No. LO3109, and the 2013 Deed of Assignment registered at the Lagos State Lands Registry.
The company is also asking the court to declare the alleged invasion of August 8, 2025 unlawful and to hold the Lagos State Government liable for the actions of its officials said to have participated in the incident.
Among the reliefs sought are ₦2 billion in damages for trespass, ₦1 billion for defamation, ₦1 billion for alleged breach of the Deed of Assignment, ₦1 billion in claims against the Lagos State Government for alleged violation of property rights and trespass, ₦48.3 million as special damages for the demolished bungalow, and ₦50 million as cost of the suit.
The claimant is further seeking the removal of the containers from the property and a perpetual injunction restraining further interference.
The matter has been assigned to Justice Batunde Kalaro of the Lagos State High Court, sitting at Osborne. As of the time of filing this report, Ardova Plc had not filed its defence.
Efforts to obtain comments from Familia’s legal team were unsuccessful, while Ardova Plc had yet to publicly respond to the suit.
Yahoo Mail: Search, organise, conquer
