A landlord in Banana Island, Lagos State, Dr Ifeanyi Odii, has raised concerns over what he described as a secretive plan to sell a disputed property despite ongoing litigation.

The property, located at Plot B-7, 327 Close, Zone B, Banana Island, Ikoyi, is the subject of a legal battle currently pending before the High Court of Lagos State in Suit No. LD/12277GCMW/2024.

Odii, through his legal team at Samuel N. Agweh (SAN) & Associates, had sued the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and others, challenging the approval and construction of a six-storey building on the land.

In the suit, Odii alleged violations of the Ikoyi-Victoria Island Model City Plan (Banana Island) 2013–2033, as well as the original building approval granted by the state government.

According to court documents, the structure far exceeds the allowable building height, setbacks, and density for the area. In court papers, the landlord claimed that construction has continued in defiance of government directives, despite a stop-work order reportedly issued by the authorities on September 2, 2024. He maintained that the building poses a threat to the environment and violates the rights and privacy of adjoining homeowners.

“The structure is illegal. It violates everything the Banana Island urban master plan stands for — from airspace obstruction to loss of privacy for neighbouring homes, and clear deviation from approved residential density,” he added.

With the case still before the court, the landlord is now raising the alarm over alleged attempts by the developers to discreetly sell the property.

His counsel, Mr Joseph Igwe, Principal Partner at Monday Ubani & Co, in a statement, warned unsuspecting buyers and real estate agents to be cautious, stressing that the matter is sub judice and any transaction at this stage could result in future legal complications.

The statement reads: “‎The principle of lis pendens clearly establishes that any purchaser who buys a property under litigation steps into the shoes of the seller and cannot escape the consequences of the ongoing court proceedings.

“Any purported buyer should be aware that they may face litigation consequences, and no form of indemnity or ignorance will shield them from the legal implications.”