A Lagos State High Court sitting in Yaba has restrained the Lagos State Government and four other defendants from taking possession of or interfering with a disputed property belonging to an 80-year-old widow in Lekki Peninsula Scheme I, pending the determination of a motion on notice.

Justice E.O. Ashade granted the interim injunction in favour of Chief H.A.K. Shonowo, who instituted the suit on behalf of herself and the estate of her late husband, Chief Owodiran Olusoga Shonowo.

The defendants in the case are the Lagos State Government, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Gary Sanusi and Dillon Consultants Nigeria Limited.

The claimant, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Babatunde Oni, urged the court to preserve the property, arguing that the defendants’ actions had caused her hardship and threatened her ownership rights.

The disputed property comprises 11 four-bedroom terrace houses, three three-bedroom flats, one two-bedroom flat and a commercial shop built on about 4,000/4,300 square metres of land located at Block 113, Plot Health Centre, Lekki Peninsula Scheme I, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

In his ruling, Justice Ashade held that the claimant had established sufficient grounds for the grant of the interim order.

The court noted that parties involved in a pending case must refrain from taking actions capable of affecting the court’s jurisdiction or prejudicing the outcome of the matter.

Consequently, the judge restrained the defendants, their agents, representatives or privies from taking possession of, transferring, reassigning or interfering with the claimant’s possession and ownership rights over the property pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

The court also barred the fourth and fifth defendants from handing over the disputed property to any other person until the application before the court is determined.

As part of the conditions attached to the injunction, the court directed the claimant to file an undertaking in the sum of N1 million to indemnify the defendants should it later be established that the interim order ought not to have been granted.

Court documents revealed that the claimant and her late husband were jointly allocated the original parcel of land measuring about 7,312.865 square metres in 1996 under a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Lagos State Government.

According to the claimant, the government revoked the Certificate of Occupancy in October 2020 but later reallocated about 4,000 square metres of the land to her in May 2021 following an appeal. A subsequent survey reportedly placed the land size at approximately 4,300 square metres.

She stated that she thereafter entered into a joint venture agreement with the fourth and fifth defendants to develop the property.

Under the agreement, the developers were expected to construct 22 four-bedroom terrace houses, six three-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom flats, with the claimant entitled to 11 terrace houses, three flats, one two-bedroom apartment and a commercial shop.

The widow alleged that although construction commenced in 2021 and her allocated units were expected to be delivered by August 2023, the developers repeatedly failed to hand over the completed properties despite several demands.

She further claimed that in March 2026 she was informed through WhatsApp that the Lagos State Government intended to take over the reallocated land.

The claimant insisted she had no contractual relationship with the Lagos State Government, the Attorney-General or the Governor, maintaining that her agreement was solely with the private developers.

Justice Ashade adjourned the case until July 9, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.

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Property experts have advised prospective real estate investors in Lagos to conduct thorough land title verification at the Lagos State Land Registry in Alausa before purchasing any property, warning that failure to do so could expose buyers to fraud, double allocations, and disputes over government-acquired land.

With Lagos remaining one of Nigeria’s most active real estate markets, industry stakeholders say due diligence has become increasingly important as cases of forged documents, ownership disputes, and illegal land sales continue to surface.

The Lagos State Land Registry, located within the Alausa Secretariat in Ikeja, serves as the official repository of registered land records and remains the most reliable institution for verifying the legal status of landed properties in the state.

Why Land Verification Matters

Experts noted that conducting a title search helps buyers confirm the true ownership of a property and verify the authenticity of critical documents such as Certificates of Occupancy, Governor’s Consents, and Deeds of Assignment.

The process also reveals whether a property is subject to mortgages, legal disputes, caveats, or government acquisition, helping investors avoid costly mistakes.

According to property professionals, purchasing land under government acquisition can result in demolition of structures and loss of investment without compensation.

Documents Required for a Land Search

Before initiating a search, buyers are advised to obtain key documents from the seller, including:

• Copy of the title document (Certificate of Occupancy, Governor’s Consent, or Deed of Assignment)
• Survey Plan showing the property’s coordinates and beacon numbers
• Formal application letter addressed to the Registrar of Deeds
• Letter of authorization from the property owner where required

These documents enable registry officials to trace the property’s records and verify its legal status.

Steps for Conducting a Land Search at Alausa

Application Submission

The process begins with obtaining and completing the official search application form at the Land Registry. Applicants must attach supporting documents, including the survey plan and title documents.

Payment of Search Fees

After assessment, applicants are required to pay the prescribed search fees through approved government payment channels and obtain official receipts.

File Processing and Retrieval

Registry officials assign a tracking number and retrieve the property’s records from the archives for verification.

Survey Verification

Applicants are also expected to submit the survey plan to the Office of the Surveyor-General for coordinate verification and confirmation that the land is not under government acquisition.

Collection of Search Report

Upon completion of the verification process, an Official Search Report is issued detailing ownership records, encumbrances, pending litigation, mortgages, and the overall status of the property.

Understanding the Search Report

A favourable report confirms that the seller is the legitimate owner and that the property is free from legal or financial encumbrances, allowing buyers to proceed with confidence.

However, experts caution that transactions should be suspended immediately if the report reveals disputes, mortgages, conflicting ownership claims, or government acquisition issues.

They stressed that buyers should rely on official search findings rather than verbal assurances from sellers, describing the Alausa verification process as one of the most effective safeguards against property fraud in Lagos.

Experts Urge Due Diligence

Real estate stakeholders maintain that proper title verification remains essential for protecting investments in Lagos’ competitive property market.

According to them, conducting a comprehensive search at the Land Registry before making payments can save buyers from future litigation, financial losses, and ownership disputes.

The post How to Verify Land Titles in Lagos: A Complete Guide to Property Searches at Alausa appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports suggesting that Channels Television purchased land in Abuja, insisting that the FCT Administration does not sell land but only allocates it under established procedures.

Wike made the clarification while reacting to claims that the media organisation had paid for land in the capital territory, an allegation that has sparked public debate over land administration practices in Abuja.

According to the minister, what Channels Television paid for was not the cost of land, but administrative charges linked to the processing of its Certificate of Occupancy (CofO).

“The money paid was to process their CofO, which is done regularly. Therefore, the land was allocated, not bought,” Wike said.

He explained that land allocation in the FCT follows standard government procedures and should not be misrepresented as commercial sales.

Wike further stressed that media organisations, like other corporate entities, operate as businesses and are expected to generate revenue to sustain their operations.

“Media organisations are not set up for charity; they are for business. That is why they do adverts and collect money,” he said.

He added that media houses earn income through advertising, sponsored content, live coverage, and commercial news services, all of which support their staffing and operational costs.

The minister questioned why land allocation to media organisations should be controversial, arguing that similar allocations are made to other private and institutional entities.SEO Elements

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Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved a 50 per cent reduction in fees for processing Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and other land documents.

Chiwetalu Nwatu, Managing Director of the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS), said on Saturday that the move aims to empower landowners, attract investment, and ensure all properties in the state are properly documented.

The discount, effective from October 15 for 45 days, allows landowners to process titles at half the usual cost. Nwatu added that the initiative targets low-income earners and unregistered landowners who previously could not afford documentation.

He noted that C of Os are now processed within 48 to 72 hours, thanks to full digitisation of land services, which has improved transparency and eliminated delays.

“This 50 per cent cut reflects Governor Mbah’s commitment to inclusivity, investment confidence, and economic growth,” Nwatu said.

The post Mbah Slashes Enugu Land Document Fees by 50% to Boost Investment appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Subscribers to the Renewed Hope Housing City in Karsana have appealed to the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to fast-track the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O). Without these documents, they cannot access the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) financing promised under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Over 1,000 Nigerians, mainly civil servants and private sector employees, have paid their equity contributions of 10%–15%. However, the remaining 85%–90%, expected to be covered through FMBN mortgages, remains inaccessible due to the absence of the C-of-O.

Subscribers praised the rapid progress of the 10.4 km four-lane access road to the estate, highlighting the quality of engineering and timely delivery. They noted this development as a key reason for their early investment in the project.

They also commended the FCT administration’s reform allowing direct issuance of land titles to homeowners, bypassing developers. This policy, aimed at reducing delays, is seen as a bold and progressive move by the minister.

Despite acknowledging the fairness and transparency of the official land title fees, subscribers requested a dedicated desk in the Land Administration Department to accelerate processing for Karsana’s Renewed Hope project.

The group emphasized that without the Certificates of Occupancy, thousands of affordable housing units in Abuja will remain inaccessible, despite the significant progress made.

This initiative represents the first large-scale processing of mortgages for contributors to the National Housing Fund. The potential impact on homeownership in Nigeria is historic if administrative delays can be resolved.

The Association of Subscribers to Renewed Hope Housing City concluded by thanking President Tinubu, the Minister of Housing, and the FCT Minister for their leadership.

They called for urgent action to unlock the final stage of the project: homeownership backed by accessible, low-interest government mortgages.

The post Karsana’s Renewed Hope City: Homeowners Call for Swift Action on Title Documents appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The centre, called the Sokoto Geographic Information System (SOGIS), was officially commissioned on Monday. The Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, performed the commissioning. He was warmly received by his host, Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State.

Governor Aliyu described the project as a turning point for land administration in Sokoto. He said it was not just a building, but a platform for real change.

“This is the beginning of a new era in Sokoto,” he said. “It will boost transparency, speed, and trust in land processes.”

The upgraded centre includes several modern features. Applicants can now receive Certificates of Occupancy within two weeks of applying. A digital dashboard allows applicants to track their application status in real time. Each certificate includes a digital barcode for easy verification. All documents are printed on waterproof, tamper-proof material to prevent damage and forgery.

Governor Aliyu said the system sends a strong message to investors. According to him, SOGIS shows that Sokoto is ready for growth, development, and global investment.

He thanked the engineers, civil servants, and partners who worked on the project. He also urged residents to use the facility responsibly and see it as a tool for better service delivery.

“This platform is for everyone. It will help us build a smarter, cleaner government,” he added.

Governor Buni officially declared the centre open. The event ended with praise for Sokoto’s digital future. The state now joins a growing list of regions embracing technology to improve public services.

The post Sokoto State Commissions ₦698.4m SOGIS Facility for Land Reforms appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The lack of land registration affects:

•Access to mortgage and credit

•Housing development

•Investor confidence

•Formal property ownership

Efforts to reform the system have not solved the core issues. Bureaucratic delays, high registration costs, and widespread corruption remain common across most states.

Across Nigeria, the story is the same. From Lagos to Kano, Abuja to Adamawa, property owners face endless delays and unclear processes.

Dr. Esther Oromidayo Thontteh, a fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, shared a personal experience in Ikeja GRA. Her company paid the required fees and submitted all documents, yet waited over six months without approval.

“We paid everything and used one of their officers,” she said. “Six months later, nothing. They kept saying they were verifying receipts.”

19Th Africa International Housing Show

Beyond delays, multiple fees discourage landowners. In Lagos, one developer paid ₦450,000 for safety approval alone. The charges included:

•₦300,000 for risk assessment

•₦50,000 for safety plan checks

•₦100,000 for a compliance certificate

This is in addition to mandatory on-site safety installations and insurance coverage.

In many states, landowners must visit up to 17 different agencies to process a title.

Despite promises, most states process few applications. For example:

•Lagos: Less than 25% of buildings are approved

•Ogun: Title approval can take up to 4 years

•Taraba: Issued only 392 C-of-Os in 9 years

•FCT: Issued just 8,400 C-of-Os from 2010 to 2023

A National Bureau of Statistics report confirms that only 13.2% of landowners have title deeds, and only 8.1% hold official Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os).

Experts want the system simplified and digitized. Muyiwa Adelu, former head of ATOPCON, said:

“Delays discourage people. If you apply and hear nothing for months, why bother? Technology should speed things up not slow them down.”

Akintoye Adeoye, President of REDAN, added:

“The process must be simplified. Land titling should support housing development not be a way to generate government revenue.”

Adele Adeniji of FIABCI-Africa emphasized the cost of inaction:

“No bank will fund a large project without a land title. Without reform, growth in the sector is impossible.”

The solution is clear. For Nigeria to unlock the full potential of its property sector, the land titling process must become fast, transparent, and affordable. Until then, much of the country’s land will remain idle unable to drive development or create wealth.

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