A businesswoman, Mrs Oladapo Agoro, has sued real estate developer, Redbrick Homes International Limited, over alleged breach of contract, poor construction, disputed charges and interference with her enjoyment of properties in Amen Estate, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

In a statement of claim filed at the Lagos State High Court in Ajah by her lawyer, Olanrewaju Ayanwale, Agoro alleged that the company failed to deliver four habitable three-bedroom terrace houses as stated in their agreement.

According to the claimant, she acquired Plots 5 and 6, Block in Amen Estate through a deed of sublease dated May 8, 2018,.

She said she subsequently engaged the company to develop the plots into four wings of three-bedroom terrace houses, with quarters for domestic staff.

The project was expected to be completed within two years, with payments made in instalments over the same period.

Agoro alleged that after she had paid more than 50 per cent of the agreed construction cost, the company demanded more payments beyond the contract sum.

The claimant said the company issued a circular on June 1, 2021, notifying some property purchasers in Amen Estate of an upward review of costs because of inflation and the depreciation of the naira.

She maintained that her construction costs had already been adjusted for inflation when the contract was negotiated and challenged the subsequent demand for a 40 per cent increase.

According to her, the company insisted that the dispute be referred to mediation, which was conducted by Olasupo Ojo.

She alleged that during the mediation, a representative of the company, Mrs Sade Gbadamosi, threatened that the construction would neither continue nor be completed if she refused to pay the additional amount.

Agoro said she feared that engaging another contractor would be difficult because the company controlled access to the estate.

She eventually paid an additional N15 million, which she considered unjustified, and another N4 million in mediation costs after the company allegedly refused to bear its agreed share.

The claimant said the additional payments totalled N19 million and that she intended to recover the money through legal action.

Agoro further alleged that the company failed to deliver the houses in habitable condition, citing poor construction and finishing.

She said she repeatedly complained and provided video evidence of the defects but received no satisfactory resolution.

In a response dated May 21, 2025, the company allegedly maintained that it should have been allowed to assess the damage before repairs were undertaken. The claimant said it subsequently refused to reimburse her for the cost of remedial work.

She also challenged a demand for N90 million as her contribution towards a proposed gas-turbine electricity generating plant for the estate.

According to her, she had installed solar panels to supplement public electricity supply, while the notice she received described the contribution as optional. She alleged that the company nevertheless insisted that payment was mandatory.

The claimant also disputed development levies, connection fees, service charges and gardening charges, arguing that some were either covered by the original purchase price or not provided for in her agreement with the company.

She said the service charge agreed in 2018 was less than five per cent but was subsequently increased, even when the houses were unoccupied.

Agoro further alleged that the company prevented her tenant from entering the estate over disputed payments. She cited a letter dated April 29, 2026, as evidence of the restriction.

The claimant also accused the company’s security personnel of damaging property and removing eight expensive cables during purported repair work at her premises.

She said the incident was reported to the site manager and the police. She also alleged that a sign installed on the property to attract prospective tenants was stolen.

Agoro said she had reported the disputed N19 million payment to the police at Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, but alleged that the company’s managing director had failed to honour an invitation to respond to the complaint.

Agoro is asking the court to declare that Redbrick Homes breached the building contract by failing to complete the project at the agreed cost and deliver habitable houses.

She is also seeking a declaration that charges not provided for in the parties’ agreement are unlawful and unenforceable, as well as an order compelling the company to reimburse her proven financial losses arising from the alleged breach and damage to her property.

She wants a perpetual injunction restraining the company, its agents and associates from imposing charges outside the contract or obstructing her, her staff and tenants from entering or leaving the estate and peacefully occupying the properties.

Other reliefs sought include general damages for breach of contract, 20 per cent prejudgment interest on any judgment sum awarded and N5 million in legal costs.

The defendant is expected to file its response, which in effect means the claimant’s allegations are not yet facts. (The Nation)