Familia Limited has instituted a ₦5 billion lawsuit against Ardova Plc and the Lagos State Government over the alleged forceful takeover of a property located at 12 Thompson Avenue, Ikoyi, in Lagos.
The suit, filed before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Osborne, is seeking declarations affirming Familia Limited’s legal and equitable ownership of the disputed property. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
According to court filings, the claimant is relying on several title documents, including a 1946 principal indenture, a 1967 land certificate registered as Title No. LO3109, and a Deed of Assignment dated August 18, 2013, which was registered at the Lagos State Lands Registry.
Familia Limited maintains that it lawfully acquired the property from Forte Oil Plc in 2013 for ₦1 billion, before the company’s acquisition and rebranding to Ardova Plc.
The firm 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 from its Task Force and Monitoring Unit who allegedly accompanied Ardova representatives to the property.
The claimant is seeking:
₦2 billion as damages for trespass
₦1 billion for defamation
₦1 billion for alleged breach of the Deed of Assignment
₦1 billion in combined claims against the Lagos State Government for alleged violation of property rights and trespass
₦48.3 million as special damages for the demolition of a bungalow on the land
₦50 million as the cost of the suit
Familia is also requesting a court order directing the removal of two 40-foot containers allegedly placed on the property by Ardova, alongside a perpetual injunction restraining further interference.
As of the time of filing this report, Ardova Plc had not submitted its defence before the court.
Meanwhile, an interim investigation report by the Nigeria Police Force reportedly affirmed Familia Limited as the rightful owner of the property and recommended possible criminal prosecution.
The report, dated December 16, 2025, was issued by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, following a petition alleging conspiracy, unlawful invasion, malicious damage, and threat to life.
Familia stated that it had remained in possession of the property for approximately 12 years and that its lease was renewed in February 2024 by the Lagos State Government for another 99 years.
The company alleged that officials of Ardova Plc, accompanied by government task force operatives, forcefully entered the premises, evicted staff, and demolished a bungalow before placing containers bearing Ardova inscriptions on the land.
During investigations, police authorities reportedly reviewed ownership documents and conducted verification at the Lagos State Ministry of Lands in Alausa.
A former Chief Finance Officer of Forte Oil Plc, Julius Owatuga, was said to have confirmed that the property was sold to Familia in 2013 and that payment was reflected in the company’s financial records.
He also reportedly stated that the property was not included among the assets transferred when Forte Oil’s shares were later acquired and the company became Ardova Plc.
However, Ardova’s Managing Director, Moshood Olajide, reportedly maintained that a search at the Lands Registry indicated the property remained in the name of British Petroleum, the former owner of Forte Oil, explaining that the company sought police support to take possession based on its understanding of ownership.