By TAIYE AGBAJE

The absence of lawyers in the suit filed against Sen. Iyabo Obasanjo and others over an Abuja property, on Monday, stalled the hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The case, which was fixed for mention, before Justice Mohammed Umar could not proceed for a second time.

When the matter was called, neither the plaintiffs’ lawyer nor the defendants’ counsel was in court.

The case was subsequently adjourned until June 10 for further mention.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Umar had, on Jan. 6, fixed March 30 for the matter following the absence of the lawyers in court.

NAN observes that when the case came up on Oct. 2, 2025, hearing could not equally proceed.

Counsel for the plaintiffs, Abniyilo Na’allah, had sought an adjournment following inability to serve the defendants in the suit as no lawyer appeared for the defence.

The plaintiffs; ABB Electrical Systems Limited and Amb. Yohana Margif, had dragged Sen. Obasanjo and other co-defendants to court 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 the former Senator representing the FCT, Philip Aduda; Ismail Iron; John Mbata; Jamaila Sani Alhassan; Altine Jibrin, and unknown persons as 2nd to 7th defendants respectfully.

The case is formerly before Justice Inyang Ekwo.

Justice Ekwo had, on Jan. 28, 2025, refused to grant the ex-parte motion filed by the plaintiffs after it was moved by Na’Allah.

The applicants had sought an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants/respondents from entering, trespassing, altering or modifying the property known as 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 had filed the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/67/2025 dated Jan. 13 but filed Jan. 17 by Na’Allah.

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.

Margif, in the affidavit he deposed to, 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 with new issued date of May 23, 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 Sen. Obasanjo, who represented Ogun Central Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, had become worrisome.

Margif prayed the court to grant their application in the interest of justice.

NAN reports that on Jan. 26, the suit suffered setback as no lawyer appeared at the Federal High Court.

Neither the plaintiffs nor the defendants were represented before in the case, which was on number seven on the day’s cause list. (NAN)

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