KEY POINTS
- Court orders sealing of Lekki waterfront property.
- Dispute centers on ownership, documentation and regulation.
- All activity halted pending final judgment.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the sealing of a disputed Lekki waterfront property, temporarily halting all activity on the land while a civil suit tied to a commercial land transaction moves forward.
Justice Othman Musa issued the order following an ex parte application filed by Henry Ugonna Orabuchi, who is asking the court to intervene in a disagreement over the ownership, documentation and regulatory standing of the property. The land is located within the Lekki Peninsula Scheme area of Lagos State, one of the city’s most sought-after waterfront zones.
Court filings show that Orabuchi traced the origin of the dispute to 2022, when he said he was introduced to Elvis Eze through an intermediary. Eze was presented as the owner of a waterfront property in Lekki. Orabuchi said he was informed that part of the land was waterlogged and required sand filling, after which portions of the reclaimed land would be sold.
Lekki waterfront property dispute
According to Orabuchi, he later agreed to acquire 3,000 square metres of the reclaimed land for an agreed price. He said additional payments were made at different stages of the transaction, based on representations exchanged during the process.
Documents shown to him, Orabuchi said, included a Lagos State Certificate of Occupancy for adjoining land. He was assured that consents for the reclaimed portion would flow from the same root of title. The agreement also stated that access to the waterfront section would be through the already developed adjoining property.
Problems emerged after the sand-filling exercise was completed. Orabuchi told the court that regulatory assessments raised questions about the extent of land recognised by relevant authorities. He said disagreements soon followed over documentation and the perfection of title to the portion he agreed to purchase.
Court freezes Lekki waterfront property
According to Punch, Orabuchi also cited actions taken by Lagos State regulatory agencies during site assessments, which he said highlighted possible compliance issues with planning and building regulations. He said those developments prompted him to seek clarification and legal protection.
Court records indicate that Orabuchi petitioned the Nigeria Police, leading to an investigation into the transaction. While that process was ongoing, he alleged that subsequent developments compelled him to approach the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/4636/2025, Orabuchi asked the court to enforce his fundamental rights and issue interim orders to preserve the property until the dispute is resolved. Justice Musa granted the application, directing that the property be sealed and secured.
The court ordered security agencies to halt all works and prevent access to Plot No. A, Block 12, Lekki Peninsula Scheme, including the reclaimed 3,000 square metres, until the substantive suit is heard and determined.
