A Nigerian residing in Europe, Robert Essien, claims popular real estate firm Adron Homes collected N16.85 million for a plot of land but refused allocation, demanding an additional N70 million for construction or threatening a 30% “administrative fee” deduction for a refund

Robert Essien (not real name), a Nigerian citizen based in a European country, has accused Adron Homes, a prominent real estate development company, of defrauding him of N16.85 million paid for a plot of land, along with allegedly imposing unreasonable conditions and refusing a full refund.

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Essien told FIJ on Friday that he made the full payment for a plot of land at Treasure Park and Garden, Phase 2, Shimawa, Ogun State, to Adron Homes between October and November 2024.

“Despite the fact that I had paid full fees to Adron Homes, however, allocation was not done. When I demanded to know when the land would be allocated to me, the company insisted that I had to show it an intention to build,” Essien recounted.

He added that Adron Homes allegedly stipulated that land would only be allocated when he was “ready to build.”

According to Essien, after he communicated his intention to build, Adron Homes then presented him with architectural designs and informed him that for them to construct the building, he would need to pay an additional N70 million.

“After paying N16.85 million for the land, you are now telling me to bring an additional N70 million naira for the construction or no activity would happen on the property?” Essien queried.

Despite the fact that I had paid full fees to Adron Homes, however, allocation was not done. When I demanded to know when the land would be allocated to me, the company insisted that I had to show it an intention to build.

He claims his attempts to negotiate were ignored, and Adron Homes subsequently ceased communication with him.

When Adron Homes remained adamant about the N70 million construction fee, Essien demanded a refund of his initial N16.85 million. This is where, according to Essien, the core of the problem began.

Adron Homes allegedly stated that any refund would incur a 30 per cent deduction as an “administrative fee,” to be paid within 90 days.

Essien vehemently rejected this condition, stating, “I completely refused. Why would they deduct that kind of amount for a job they had not done?”

He stressed that Adron Homes had never disclosed that it would be the sole party permitted to develop the land or that an administrative fee would be deducted in such circumstances.

Essien also revealed that Adron Homes later sent him a provisional allocation letter, which he rejected as it did not align with his plans.

His lawyers have since engaged in a series of correspondences with the company, but Adron Homes reportedly continues to insist on deducting the 30 per cent fee, which Essien argues is for a contract the company itself breached and was never part of the initial payment terms.

FIJ’s attempt to get a reaction from Adron Homes’ client service desk via email on Wednesday was not responded to at press time.