Hearing stalls in property dispute suit against Iyabo Obasanjo
Add us on Google A hearing in a property dispute suit filed against Iyabo Obasanjo and others stalled on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja due to the lawyers’ absence. The case, which was fixed for mention, before Judge Mohammed Umar could not proceed for a second time in close to three months. Neither the plaintiffs’ lawyers nor their defence counterparts were in court for Monday’s hearing. The case was subsequently adjourned until 10 June for further mention. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that earlier on 6 January, the judge fixed today (Monday) for the matter following the absence of the lawyers in court. NAN observes that the hearing could not proceed when the case came up on 2 October 2025. The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Abniyilo Na’allah, had sought an adjournment because they could not serve the defendants, as no lawyer appeared for them. The plaintiffs, ABB Electrical Systems Limited and Yohana Margif, had sued Ms Obasanjo, a former senator and daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and other co-defendants over dispute on a landed property. The property is located at Plot 4254, Cadastral Zone A04, measuring approximately 1.67Ha in Asokoro District, FCT, Abuja. Other defendants in the suit are former senator representing the FCT, Philip Aduda; Ismail Iron; John Mbata; Jamaila Sani Alhassan; Altine Jibrin, and unknown persons. The case is formerly before Judge Inyang Ekwo. Earlier on 28 January 2025, Mr Ekwo refused to grant an ex-parte motion filed by the plaintiffs after it was moved by Mr Na’allah. The applicants sought an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants/respondents from entering, trespassing, altering or modifying the disputed property Plot 4254, Cadastral Zone A04. The plot is approximately 1.67Ha, Asokoro, Asokoro District Abuja. The judge, instead, directed the plaintiffs to put the defendants on notice in order to hear from them why the prayer should not be granted. The plaintiffs filed the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/67/2025 on 17 January. In their six-ground argument, the applicants said they were agitated with the fear of the defendants trespassing, altering the property belonging to them. They said they were the rightful owners of the land by virtue of the statutory Right of Occupancy granted to them. “That the plaintiffs/applicants have been in quiet and peaceful possession of the land without any challenge from the defendants/respondents or anyone at all. “It will occasion serious miscarriage of justice against the plaintiffs/applicants if the defendants/respondents are allowed to tamper with, enter, trespass, alter or modify the property belonging to the plaintiffs. “Allowing the defendants/respondents to tamper with, enter, trespass, alter or modify the property belonging to the plaintiffs will destroy the res and render the judgment of this court nugatory,” they said. The applicants said irreparable damage would be caused to them if the defendants were not restrained. READ ALSO: Shettima, Jonathan, Obasanjo in Anambra as Soludo is sworn in for second term In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, MR Margif stated that the company (1st plaintiff) was allocated the parcel of land by the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA) covered by a Statutory Right of Occupancy issued on 23 May 2006. He said the company intended to start developing the said land in compliance with terms contained on the statutory Right of Occupancy and other guiding rules and laws within the FCT. He alleged that the recent activities of the defendants, including Ms Obasanjo, who represented the Ogun Central Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, had become worrisome. Mr Margif prayed the court to grant their application in the interest of justice. NAN reports that on 26 January, the suit suffered a setback because no lawyer appeared at the Federal High Court. Neither the plaintiffs nor the defendants were represented in court. (NAN) Share this: Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Click to print (Opens in new window) Print