The Property Lawyer

26/06/2026

23/06/2026

19/06/2026

17/06/2026

Building a is one of the biggest investments most people will ever make.

It takes years of savings.

Months of planning.

Countless trips to the site.

Every block laid represents hard work and sacrifice.

But here is a question every property owner should ask:

Is your building legal... or are you simply hoping for the best?

Many people believe that once they have bought , they are free to build whatever they want.

Unfortunately, that is not how the law works.

Across , buildings worth millions of naira have been sealed, marked for demolition, and in some cases demolished completely.

Not because the owners did not buy the land, but because the buildings violated planning regulations.

Some owners failed to obtain the necessary approvals.

Some built beyond what was approved.

Others unknowingly constructed on government setbacks, drainage channels, road alignments, or land reserved for public purposes.

The painful part is that many only discovered these mistakes after completing the building.

By then, they had already invested their life savings.

When a is found to be illegal, the consequences can be devastating.

You may receive a stop-work order.

Your property may be sealed.

You may be ordered to alter or remove parts of the building.

In serious cases, the entire structure may be demolished.

At that point, arguing that you bought the land legally may not save the building.

That is why smart investors do not focus only on buying land.

They also ensure that every stage of construction complies with the law.

Before construction begins:

✔ Confirm the land is suitable for your intended development.

✔ Obtain all required building approvals.

✔ Build strictly according to the approved plan.

✔ Seek legal guidance before investing millions in construction.

Remember this:

A building does not become lawful because it is beautiful. It becomes lawful because it complies with the law.

Protect your investment before problems arise.

Prevention is always cheaper than rebuilding.

If you found this post informative, please Like, Share, and Comment.

Akinbayowa Morakinyo Esq ®️✍🏿

09/06/2026

Imagine after spending years saving , buying land, clearing the site, hiring workers, and watching your dream project destroyed.

It may not happen because of land fraud.

It may not happen because someone challenged your ownership.

It may not even happen because you lack building materials.

It could happen because of a law you ignored.

A law many developers never think about until government officials arrive at the site with a stop-work order.

By then, it is often too late.

Many real spend millions acquiring land, hiring contractors, buying materials, and marketing their projects.

Yet, they overlook one critical issue that can bring everything to a sudden halt: Environmental Compliance.

Ignoring environmental laws is like building a house on a ticking time bomb.

Everything may look fine today, but the consequences can arrive without warning.

Environmental laws are designed to protect lives, communities, waterways, drainage channels, forests, wetlands, and public health.

Before certain developments can proceed, developers may be required to satisfy environmental requirements and obtain relevant approvals.

Unfortunately, many people discover this only after they have invested huge sums of money.

Failure to comply can result in:

1️⃣Immediate suspension of construction activities.

2️⃣Closure of the project site.

3️⃣Heavy fines and sanctions.

4️⃣Demolition of unauthorized structures.

5️⃣Costly legal battles.

6️⃣Delays that can last months or even years.

7️⃣Massive financial losses.

One of the most dangerous assumptions in real estate is this:

"I own the land, so I can build whatever I want."

The law does not always agree.

Before developing any property, ensure that you:

✅ Verify the regulations affecting the land.

✅ Obtain necessary permits and approvals.

✅ Comply with environmental requirements.

✅ Conduct proper due diligence.

✅ Seek professional legal advice before construction begins.

A project worth hundreds of millions of naira can be stopped because of one overlooked environmental requirement.

Do not wait until officials arrive at your site before asking questions.

Ask the questions now.

Protect your investment now.

Save yourself from losses now.

If you found this post valuable, kindly LIKE, SHARE, and COMMENT to help other property owners and developers avoid costly mistakes.

And if questions about land purchase, title verification, environmental compliance, building approvals, or property transactions?

Speak with The Property Lawyer today on +2347063403853.

Your next real estate mistake could be your most expensive one.

Akinbayowa Morakinyo Esq ®️✍🏿

08/06/2026

In , buying land is not the final step in securing ownership. It is only the beginning.

One of the most misunderstood requirements in real estate transactions is GOVERNOR’S CONSENT.

Many investors proceed with Deed of Assignment, payment receipts, and even possession, yet still leave a critical legal gap that can weaken their title.

Under the Land Use Act, all land is vested in the Governor of each state.

Any transfer, sale, mortgage, or assignment of an interest in land that has statutory title requires the Governor’s approval before it is fully valid in the eyes of the law.

This approval is what is known as Governor’s Consent.

Why Governor's Consent matters than most people realize is because without it:

1️⃣Your ownership may not be fully perfected in law
2️⃣Title can be challenged during disputes
3️⃣Banks may reject the property for mortgage or financing
4️⃣Future buyers may hesitate or withdraw from purchase
5️⃣Resale and transfer become legally complicated
6️⃣You risk delays and court issues that could have been avoided

Therefore, a Deed of Assignment alone is not enough to complete the legal transfer of interest in many statutory land transactions.

Until consent is obtained, the law may still treat the previous registered holder as the recognized owner in official records.

Therefore, before committing to any land purchase:

✔ Confirm the nature of the title
✔ Verify whether Governor’s Consent is required
✔ Ensure documentation is properly executed
✔ Engage a competent property lawyer

Real estate mistakes rarely show immediately.

They surface at the point of resale, development, or dispute, when correction becomes costly.

For proper legal guidance on land purchase, Governor’s Consent, C of O issues, or documentation review, contact The Property Lawyer.

And if this message is useful, drop a comment and share it with someone planning to buy land.

Akinbayowa Morakinyo Esq ®️✍🏿

02/06/2026

So many people believe disputes happen only because of land grabbers, dishonest families, or fraudulent agents.

The truth is that a large number of land disputes begin with a buyer's failure to verify important facts before making payment.

Imagine spending years saving money to buy land.

You finally identify a suitable .

The seller appears genuine.

The documents look authentic.

The price seems reasonable.

Excited about becoming a landowner, you pay without conducting proper legal checks.

A few months later, while preparing to build, another person appears with documents claiming ownership of the same land.

Soon, a third claimant emerges.

Before you know it, your dream investment becomes a legal battle.

The money is gone.

Construction stops.

Lawyers become involved.

Court cases drag on for years.

Relationships are damaged.

Peace of mind disappears.

Sadly, this scenario plays out every day across Nigeria.

Most of these disputes could have been prevented by taking a few important steps:

✅ Verify the true owner of the land.
✅ Investigate the title documents.
✅ Confirm that the land is free from government acquisition or encumbrances.
✅ Conduct proper searches at the relevant authorities.
✅ Engage a competent property lawyer before making payment.

Remember:

The most expensive land is not the one with the highest price.

It is the one purchased without due diligence.

A few days spent investigating a property can save you years of litigation, financial loss, and emotional stress.

Don't let excitement push you into making a costly mistake.

Have you ever encountered a land dispute or witnessed one? Share your experience in the comments.

And if you found this post valuable, kindly like, share, and follow for more practical real estate tips that can protect your investment.

In addition if you need help with land verification, title investigation, property documentation, or any real estate legal matter, contact The Property Lawyer

Akinbayowa Morakinyo Esq ®️✍🏿