How Do I Conduct Due Diligence on a Property in Lekki Before Paying?
Introduction
The Lekki axis of Lagos has become one of the most sought-after property locations in Nigeria — a hub of luxury estates, waterfront developments, and rapid urban growth. From gated communities like Pinnock Estate and Lekki Phase 1 to emerging areas like Abraham Adesanya and Chevron Drive, Lekki offers enormous investment potential.
However, the same environment that attracts investors also attracts fraudulent transactions, fake documents, and land scams. Every year, countless individuals lose millions of naira to fake landowners, dubious agents, and unverified developments. Many buyers only discover after payment that the property they purchased was under government acquisition, encumbered by litigation, or sold multiple times.
That is why legal due diligence is indispensable. Before you pay for any property in Lekki — no matter how beautiful it looks or how convincing the seller appears — you must conduct a detailed verification to confirm its authenticity, ownership, and legal status.
At Chaman Law Firm, we have represented numerous clients who narrowly escaped fraudulent transactions because we insisted on proper due diligence. In this article, you will learn in detail the step-by-step legal process of conducting due diligence on a property in Lekki before making payment, what documents to request, what red flags to watch for, and how to ensure that your investment is legally protected.
Understand What Property Due Diligence Means
Due diligence in property law refers to the process of carrying out comprehensive legal, physical, and financial investigations on a property before concluding a purchase. The purpose is to determine whether the property is genuine, free from encumbrances, and has a valid title that can be transferred to the buyer.
Due diligence covers:
Verification of ownership and title documents
Confirmation of survey coordinates and property location
Investigation of government acquisition status
Checking for litigation, disputes, or encumbrances
Reviewing estate management records and consent procedures
Conducting due diligence is like performing a medical check-up on the property — you want to ensure there are no hidden defects that could jeopardize ownership after payment.
Engage a Property Lawyer — Don’t Rely on Agents
The first and most important step is to hire a qualified property and real-estate lawyer to represent your interest. Many property buyers make the mistake of relying on estate agents, family friends, or unlicensed middlemen who lack legal training.
A property lawyer ensures:
Proper verification at the Lagos State Land Registry
Interpretation of complex documents and titles
Identification of legal risks before payment
Preparation of legally binding contracts (Offer Letter, Deed of Assignment, etc.)
At Chaman Law Firm, our real-estate legal team handles the entire verification process professionally, leaving no loopholes that fraudsters can exploit.
Request All Available Property Documents
Before any due diligence exercise can begin, request all documents relating to the property from the seller or developer. These typically include:
Title document (Certificate of Occupancy, Governor’s Consent, Deed of Assignment, Deed of Sublease, or Registered Conveyance)
Survey Plan with registered coordinates
Approved Layout Plan from the Ministry of Physical Planning
Letter of Allocation or Offer Letter (if applicable)
Estate management documents (if within a private estate)
Tax clearance certificates and proof of payment for land charges
Never pay or sign any agreement without seeing these documents. They are the foundation of verification.
Verify the Title Document at the Lagos State Land Registry
This is one of the most crucial stages of due diligence. Your lawyer must conduct an official search at the Lagos State Land Registry, Alausa-Ikeja to confirm the authenticity of the title.
The search reveals:
Whether the property is registered under the correct name
The nature of interest (e.g., leasehold, sublease, assignment)
Any existing encumbrances, such as mortgages or caveats
The history of ownership
A Certified True Copy (CTC) of the title document can also be obtained for record purposes.
If the property is not registered, it’s a red flag — such property might still be under government acquisition or without Governor’s Consent.
Verify the Survey Plan with the Office of the Surveyor General
The next step is to verify the survey plan. Many fake surveys circulate in Lekki, with cloned signatures of licensed surveyors or falsified coordinates.
Your lawyer or surveyor should chart the survey plan at the Office of the Surveyor General of Lagos State (OSGL). This process confirms:
That the property exists within the coordinates stated
That it is not within a government acquisition zone, road alignment, or drainage path
Whether it falls within a committed acquisition area or excision zone
If the property falls within a committed acquisition, it cannot be sold or owned privately. However, if it falls within an excision-approved area, the land can be regularized by obtaining a Governor’s Consent.
Conduct a Search at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
If the seller is a company (such as an estate developer or limited-liability entity), a search should be conducted at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). This reveals:
The company’s legal status and directors
Whether the company is registered and active
Whether there are charges or mortgages against the property
This step ensures you are dealing with a legally recognized corporate seller and not an unregistered business name masquerading as a developer.
Conduct a Court Search for Pending Litigations
Many Lekki properties are currently subjects of pending lawsuits between families, developers, or estate communities. Purchasing such property automatically places you in the middle of legal conflicts.
A court search should be conducted at the Lagos High Court (Land Division) to confirm if any case has been filed over the property or the estate in question.
If litigation is discovered, the buyer should immediately suspend payment until judgment is given or the dispute is resolved.
Verify with the Family or Original Land-Owning Community
In cases where the property originates from a family land, it’s vital to confirm that all principal family members or representatives consented to the sale.
Fraudsters often obtain signatures from only one or two unauthorized members of the family, rendering the sale void.
A ratification letter or Family Consent Form must be executed by all recognized heads and witnesses of the family to validate the transaction.
Confirm Government Approval and Development Status
Many developers in Lekki market properties that are part of unapproved or unregistered estate layouts. You must confirm that the development has:
Planning approval from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) clearance
Building permit or development approval
Without these, the government can demolish or revoke the estate at any time.
Verify with the Estate Management (If Inside a Private Estate)
If the property is located within a private estate such as Pinnock Estate, Chevron Drive Estate, or Lekki County Homes, ensure verification with the Estate Management Office.
They can confirm whether:
The property is properly allocated
The seller has clearance to sell
Service charges or development levies have been paid
There are restrictions or building covenants
A Letter of No Objection or Estate Transfer Form should be issued by the estate to validate the transaction.
Conduct Physical Inspection
No due diligence is complete without physically inspecting the property. Visit the site to confirm that:
The land or building exists and matches the survey description
There are no boundary disputes or overlapping claims
The neighborhood is safe, accessible, and developed
You should also interact with neighbors or community leaders to inquire about the land’s history and any hidden disputes.
Review the Chain of Ownership
In Lagos, especially Lekki, properties often change hands multiple times — from the original family to the developer, to sub-developers, and then to individuals.
Your lawyer must trace and document the chain of ownership, ensuring that each transfer was legitimate and properly executed. This helps prevent double-sale or claim of ownership in the future.
Confirm the Payment Structure and Mode
Fraudulent transactions often occur during payment. Always pay into the official account of the company or seller’s solicitor, not a personal account. Request:
Official payment receipts
Acknowledgment letters
Stamped invoices (for corporate sellers)
Avoid cash payments. Use bank transfers that leave a clear trail.
Verify the Legality of the Developer’s Title
In multi-unit estates or apartment complexes, ensure that the developer obtained Governor’s Consent or Global C of O for the entire estate. Without this, buyers cannot legally obtain subleases or individual titles.
Your lawyer must check whether the developer’s title allows assignment or sublease to third parties. If not, insist that the developer perfects the title before you pay.
Confirm Survey Coordinates with GIS Tools
Modern due diligence goes beyond paper verification. Your surveyor can use Geographic Information System (GIS) tools or online platforms to cross-verify the coordinates on Google Earth or Lagos State GIS maps.
This ensures the land’s location matches the document and is not duplicated elsewhere.
Inspect for Environmental and Flood Risks
Lekki is a low-lying area prone to flooding. Conduct an environmental inspection to assess:
Drainage systems
Flood prevention measures
Distance from waterways or canals
Environmental regulations of the area
A property within a flood-risk zone may become uninhabitable or require expensive mitigation.
Check Tax and Statutory Obligations
Ensure the seller has settled all government taxes and property-related levies, including:
Land Use Charge
Ground Rent
Tenement Rate
Environmental Service Levies
Demand evidence of payment. Unpaid charges can transfer liability to the buyer after purchase.
Verify Land Use Purpose and Zoning
Each area of Lekki has designated land-use classifications — residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use. Verify that the property’s zoning aligns with your intended purpose.
The Ministry of Physical Planning can provide official confirmation. Developing a residential property on land zoned for commercial use may lead to revocation or demolition.
Obtain a Professional Valuation Report
A valuation gives insight into the property’s true market value and helps avoid overpayment. Engage a licensed estate valuer to provide a detailed valuation report based on current market trends and comparable sales in Lekki.
Obtain a Lawyer’s Due Diligence Report
After completing all verifications, your lawyer should prepare a Due Diligence Report summarizing findings, risks, and recommendations.
A standard report includes:
Verification summary from Land Registry and Surveyor General
Chain of ownership analysis
Encumbrance and litigation report
Legal compliance checklist
Conclusion on property’s marketability
This document guides your final decision on whether to proceed with payment.
Negotiate and Execute the Offer Letter or Sale Agreement
Once due diligence confirms the property is genuine, the next stage is to sign an Offer Letter or Sale Agreement outlining:
Purchase price
Payment terms
Obligations of parties
Timeline for completion
Remedies in case of default
Both parties must sign in the presence of witnesses.
Execute and Perfect the Deed of Assignment
After full payment, the seller executes a Deed of Assignment transferring ownership to you. Your lawyer then proceeds to stamp, register, and obtain Governor’s Consent at the Lands Bureau.
These steps legally perfect your title. Without them, ownership remains incomplete.
File for Governor’s Consent
Under Section 22 of the Land Use Act, you cannot validly transfer property in Lagos without the Governor’s Consent. This consent authenticates your ownership in the eyes of the law.
Documents required include:
Executed Deed of Assignment
Survey Plan
Application Form
Tax Clearance Certificates
Payment of stamp duties and consent fees
Once approved, your property becomes fully recognized under Lagos law.
Register the Title
The final step of perfection is registration at the Land Registry. Upon registration, a registration number is issued, and the buyer’s name is entered as the legal owner.
Registration ensures your interest is protected and enforceable in court.
Keep All Originals Securely and Digitally Backed-Up
Store original documents in a safe deposit box and maintain digital copies. Title documents are irreplaceable — losing them can cause legal complications in the future.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Seller cannot produce original title documents
Discrepancy in names or survey coordinates
Seller avoids engaging a lawyer
Land under government acquisition or flood zone
Multiple agents claiming authority over same property
Price far below market value
If any of these red flags appear, suspend the transaction immediately and consult your lawyer.
The Role of Technology in Modern Due Diligence
Technology now plays a huge role in property verification. GIS tools, satellite mapping, drone inspections, and online land registries help detect fraud early.
At Chaman Law Firm, we combine digital verification tools with legal expertise to conduct accurate and fast due diligence for our clients.
Due Diligence for Diaspora Investors
Nigerians in the diaspora are frequent victims of property fraud because they rely on friends or relatives to inspect and pay for land.
If you live abroad:
Engage a reputable law firm to represent you.
Request digital copies of all documents.
Authorize payment only through verified channels.
Ask for video inspection and legal reports.
Chaman Law Firm offers a “Diaspora Legal Verification Service” tailored for overseas clients who wish to invest safely in Nigeria.
Cost Implications of Due Diligence
The cost of legal due diligence depends on the complexity of the transaction, type of property, and number of verifications required.
Typical components include:
Legal search fees
Survey verification fees
CAC or court search charges
Professional legal fee
While these may appear as extra costs, they are negligible compared to the risk of losing millions to fraudulent sellers.
Importance of Legal Representation
The legal process of buying property in Lagos is detailed, and a simple mistake can invalidate the entire transaction. A lawyer protects your interest, negotiates fair terms, and ensures every document complies with legal standards.
Conclusion
Purchasing property in Lekki can be one of the best investment decisions of your life — but only when backed by proper legal due diligence. Every document must be verified, every claim authenticated, and every transaction documented legally.
Never pay for a property based on emotion, pressure, or assumptions. Take the time to verify before you buy. That one step can save you from endless legal battles and financial loss.
At Chaman Law Firm, our property and real-estate department specializes in due diligence, title verification, property acquisition, and documentation for individuals, families, developers, and Nigerians in the diaspora. We handle all stages — from verification to Governor’s Consent — giving you absolute peace of mind.
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