Police recommend prosecution of company officials over dispute on Lagos prime property

The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Lagos, has recommended the prosecution of senior officials of Ardova Plc for the alleged forceful takeover of a prime property in Ikoyi, Lagos. Meanwhile, the disputed owner, Familia Limited, has filed a N5 billion suit at the Lagos State High Court.

PREMIUM TIMES, on Tuesday, reviewed a certified true copy of the police interim report dated 6 December 2025 and signed by Chief Superintendent of Police Taiwo Oyewale. The report was addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2.

“It is established that the suspects committed offences of conspiracy, unlawful invasion, malicious damage and threat to life.

“I humbly suggest that the case file should be duplicated and forwarded to the legal section for advice and possible prosecution,” the report said.

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The dispute centres on a property at 12 Thompson Avenue, Ikoyi, which Familia said it purchased in 2013 from Forte Oil Plc for N1 billion.

According to the police report, Familia alleged that on 8 August 2025, officials of Ardova Plc, accompanied by operatives of the Lagos State Task Force and Monitoring Unit, entered the premises without a court order, evicted its staff, demolished a bungalow on the property, and placed two 40-foot containers bearing the inscription: “THIS PROPERTY BELONGS TO ARDOVA PLC.”

The petition to the police was filed by Capstone Law Firm on behalf of Familia Limited. It named Abdulwasiu Sowami, Chief Executive Officer of Ardova Plc, and Moshood Olajide, Managing Director, as suspects.

Police said the investigation team led by Mr Oyewale examined documents and interviewed relevant parties.

Police report gives history of property

The report stated that Julius Owatuga, former Chief Finance Officer of Forte Oil Plc and now Managing Director of Geregu Power Plc, confirmed that the property was sold to Familia in 2013 and that the payment was reflected in Forte Oil’s 2013 annual report.

He reportedly told investigators that the property was not included in the assets transferred when Forte Oil’s shares were later acquired by Ardova Plc, and that the transaction was properly recorded in the company’s financial statements.

According to the police report, Mr Olajide told investigators that the property had previously served as the residence of the managing director when the company operated as British Petroleum.

He reportedly stated that a search conducted at the Lands Registry in Alausa indicated that the property remained in the name of British Petroleum, prompting the company to seek police support to take possession.

He further claimed that the takeover was carried out without resistance.

Police findings

The police report stated that documents reviewed during the investigation, including the Deed of Assignment dated 18 August 2013, indicate that Familia purchased the property and had maintained possession for nearly 12 years.

It also noted that the Lagos State Government renewed and extended the lease in February 2024 for another 99 years.

The report further stated that Forte Oil confirmed the sale of the property and that investigators established that a building belonging to Familia was demolished during the takeover.

The police recommended that the case file be forwarded to the legal section for advice and possible prosecution for offences including conspiracy, unlawful invasion, malicious damage, and threat to life.

Civil suit

Separately, Familia has filed suit number LD/184721MW/2025 at the Lagos State High Court against Ardova Plc and the Attorney General of Lagos State.

In the writ dated 19 December 2025 and reviewed by PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, Familia sought a declaration that it holds legal and equitable title to the property and enjoyed exclusive possession from 2013 until 8 August 2025.

The company is also claiming N48.3 million for the demolished bungalow; N2 billion for trespass and economic losses; N1 billion for defamation; N1 billion for alleged breach of the Deed of Assignment against Ardova Plc; and N1 billion in combined claims against the Lagos State Government for alleged constitutional violations.

Familia further sought N50 million as the cost of the suit, an order directing the removal of the containers and inscriptions from the property, and a perpetual injunction restraining further interference.

Under court rules, the defendants have 42 days from service of the writ to enter an appearance, failing which the claimant may seek judgement in default.

Ardova Plc had not filed a defence as of press time.

READ ALSO: Coastal road: Lagos community fears fresh demolitions over 150m setback

Ardova responds

In a response sent to PREMIUM TIMES via WhatsApp on Tuesday, a spokesperson for Ardova Plc said the company’s attention was drawn to a publication which it said originated from an online post concerning the property.

The company stated that two adversarial suits are pending before the Lagos State High Court regarding the subject property.

Ardova said it was aware that in one of the suits, its adversary claimed that the police had confirmed its alleged title to the property.

However, the company maintained that, to the best of its knowledge, the police had warned its operatives against dabbling in land disputes.

It expressed surprise at suggestions that the police had not adhered to that directive in this instance, arguing that the police are neither the custodian of land titles nor a court vested with authority to adjudicate land disputes.

“In the circumstances, we shall not be joining issues on social media with the authors or promoters of the publication. We would rather wait to prove our case in court,” the company said.

Ardova added that any party disputing its interest in the property should ventilate such objections before the court rather than engage in what it described as social media campaigns.

The company also confirmed that it has instituted a civil suit to protect its title and that proceedings are pending before the Lagos State High Court.