Court gavel
Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned hearing in a property dispute involving former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and several others until November 6, following the plaintiffs’ failure to serve legal processes on the defendants.
Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the new date on Thursday after the plaintiffs’ counsel, Abniyilo Na’allah, requested more time to “put their house in order.”
Only the plaintiffs’ lawyer was present in court when the matter was called. No legal representation appeared on behalf of the defendants.
> “We’re yet to take the necessary steps to serve the defendants and respectfully seek an adjournment to regularize our process,” Na’allah told the court.
Justice Umar granted the request and adjourned the matter.
The plaintiffs—ABB Electrical Systems Limited and Ambassador Yohana Margif—are suing Senator Obasanjo and six others over ownership of a disputed property located at Plot 4254, Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, Abuja, measuring approximately 1.67 hectares.
Other named defendants in the case include former FCT Senator Philip Aduda, Ismail Iron, John Mbata, Jamaila Sani Alhassan, Altine Jibrin, and several unidentified individuals.
Previously assigned to Justice Inyang Ekwo, the case gained attention after the court, on January 28, refused to grant an ex-parte motion seeking to restrain the defendants from entering or tampering with the land.
In their motion (FHC/ABJ/CS/67/2025), the plaintiffs argued that they had been in peaceful possession of the property based on a Statutory Right of Occupancy granted by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), dated May 23, 2006.
> “The plaintiffs/applicants have been in quiet and peaceful possession of the land without any challenge from the defendants,” the motion stated.
They warned that allowing the defendants to enter, alter, or modify the property could result in “irreparable damage” and render the eventual court ruling ineffective.
> “It will occasion serious miscarriage of justice… and destroy the res,” the plaintiffs maintained.
In an affidavit supporting the application, Margif claimed that the first plaintiff (ABB Electrical Systems Ltd) was lawfully allocated the land and intended to begin development in accordance with FCT regulations.
However, he alleged that the recent activities of the defendants—particularly those of Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, who represented Ogun Central in the National Assembly between 2007 and 2011—had raised serious concerns.
> “The actions of the defendants have become worrisome and pose a threat to our legal right over the property,” he said.
The plaintiffs are seeking an order to stop all forms of encroachment until the substantive suit is heard and determined.
The court is expected to reconvene on November 6 to hear pending applications once service has been properly effected on all parties.
NAN
