The doctrine of lis pendens is part of our law. See Ogundaini v. Araba and Barclays Bank of Nigeria Ltd. (1978) 6 and 8 SC. 55 at 80. It prevents the effective transfer of rights in any property which is the subject matter of an action pending in court during the pendency in court of the action. Any purchaser whether he has notice actual or constructive or not is bound by the doctrine and buys nothing from a litigant vendor. The 2nd respondent was a party to suit No. B/184/74 instituted in respect of the property now in dispute. He was barred by the doctrine of lis pendens from selling and conveying the property or any part thereof at the time he sold to 1st respondent. The 1st respondent therefore got nothing and the conveyance executed in his favour was null and void and conveyed nothing. The evidence shows that the suit was not determined till 31st October, 1977. It was pending from,23rd October, 1974 to 31st October 1977 and the 23rd day of June 1976 the date the 2nd respondent purported to have executed the conveyance Exhibit B in favour of 1st respondent fell within that period.
— Obaseki, JSC. Osagie v. Oyeyinka & Anor. (1987) – SC.194/1985