The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered a court-appointed Receiver/Manager to take immediate possession and control of a prime disputed property located at No. 68 Molade Okoya Thomas Street, off Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
​The order was granted following an ex-parte application filed by former First Lady, Mrs. Maryam Sani Abacha, against Levitikal Realties & Construction Limited over alleged breaches and control of the high-value commercial asset.
​Presiding over the matter on Friday morning at Judicial Division Court 3, the judge ruled that the interim receiver take charge of the premises pending the determination of the substantive motion on notice. The order restrains Levitikal Realties & Construction Limited, its directors, agents, or privies from interfering with the receiver’s management, collection of rents, or operations at the location.
​Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, shortly after the ruling, lead counsel to Mrs. Abacha, Barrister Joseph Okeke, SAN, stated that the legal intervention was necessary to preserve the res (subject matter) of the suit.
​”Our client was compelled to seek the intervention of the honorable court to prevent the dissipation of assets and unauthorized dealings on the property,” Okeke stated. “The appointment of a Receiver/Manager ensures that the status quo is maintained and the property is protected while the legal process runs its course.”
​In response, legal representatives for Levitikal Realties & Construction Limited indicated their intention to challenge the interim order. Speaking on behalf of the defense team at the court premises, Mr. Chidi Nnamdi confirmed that a motion to vacate the receiver order is already being processed.
​”We have noted the ruling of the court made ex-parte today,” Nnamdi remarked. “However, our clients have strong grounds to vacate this order, and we will be filing our response and counter-affidavits before the close of business to present our side of the story.”
​Court officials alongside law enforcement officers are expected to execute the possession order at the Victoria Island address in the coming days. The court adjourned the matter to November 14 for the hearing of the pending substantive applications.
