Familia Limited has instituted a ₦5 billion suit against Ardova Plc and the Lagos State Government over the alleged invasion and forceful takeover of a prime property located at 12 Thompson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The suit, now before Justice Batunde Kalaro of the Lagos State High Court sitting at Osborne, seeks declarations affirming Familia’s legal and equitable title to the disputed property.
Familia Limited is relying on a 1946 principal indenture, a 1967 land certificate registered as Title No. LO3109, and a Deed of Assignment dated August 18, 2013, duly registered at the Lagos State Lands Registry.
The firm maintains that it lawfully acquired the property from Forte Oil Plc in 2013 for ₦1 billion, prior to the company’s acquisition and subsequent change of name to Ardova Plc.
The claimant is asking the court to declare the alleged invasion of August 8, 2025 unlawful and to hold the Lagos State Government vicariously liable for the actions of officials of its Task Force and Monitoring Unit who allegedly accompanied Ardova representatives to the premises.
Familia is claiming ₦2 billion as damages for trespass; ₦1 billion for defamation; ₦1 billion for alleged breach of the Deed of Assignment; and an additional ₦1 billion in combined claims against the Lagos State Government for alleged violation of its property rights and trespass.
It is also seeking ₦48.3 million as special damages for the demolition of a bungalow on the land and ₦50 million as cost of the suit.
The firm further seeks an order directing the removal of two 40-foot containers allegedly placed on the property by Ardova, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further interference.
Ardova Plc has yet to file its defence.
Meanwhile, an interim investigation report by the Nigeria Police Force has affirmed Familia Limited as the rightful owner of the property and recommended possible criminal prosecution.
The police report, dated December 16, 2025, was issued by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, following a petition filed on behalf of Familia alleging conspiracy, unlawful invasion, malicious damage and threat to life.
According to the report signed by CSP Taiwo Oyewale, Familia stated that it had remained in possession of the property for about 12 years and that its lease was renewed and extended in February 2024 by the Lagos State Government for another 99 years.
Familia alleged that on August 8, 2025, officials of Ardova Plc, accompanied by operatives of the Lagos State Task Force and Monitoring Unit, forcefully entered the premises, ejected its staff and demolished a bungalow on the land. Two 40-foot containers bearing inscriptions indicating Ardova’s ownership were reportedly placed on the property.
During investigations, police authorities reviewed documents presented by Familia and conducted verification at the Lagos State Ministry of Lands, Alausa.
A former Chief Finance Officer of Forte Oil Plc, Julius Owatuga, who was invited as a witness, reportedly confirmed that the property was sold to Familia in 2013 and that payment for the transaction was reflected in the company’s financial records for that year.
He was also said to have stated that the property was not listed among the assets transferred when Forte Oil’s shares were later acquired and the company became Ardova Plc.
In his statement, Ardova’s Managing Director, Moshood Olajide, reportedly maintained that a search at the Lands Registry showed the property remained in the name of British Petroleum, the former owner of Forte Oil.
He explained that the company sought police support to take possession of what it believed to be its property.
Source; PM News