By TAIYE AGBAJE

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned a suit filed against Sen. Iyabo Obasanjo and others over an Abuja property until July 9 for hearing.

The suit, which was before Justice Mohammed Umar as at March 30, had now been reassigned back to Justice Inyang Ekwo, who was earlier handling the case.

The matter, which was on number 8 on the day’s cause list, however, could not proceed and was fixed for July 9 for further mention.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on March 30 when the case came up before Justice Umar, neither the plaintiffs’ lawyer nor the defendants’ counsel was in court and the case was fixed for June 10.

Justice Umar had, on Jan. 6, fixed March 30 for the matter following the absence of the lawyers in court.

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 was formerly before Justice Ekwo before Justice Umar took over last year, and now reassigned back to Ekwo for adjudication.

Justice Ekwo had, on Jan. 28, 2025, refused to grant the 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, 2025, but filed Jan. 17, 2025 by Na’Allah.

In their six-ground argument, the applicants said they were agitated with the fear of the defendants trespassing or 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.

The plaintiffs/applicants said they have been in quiet and peaceful possession of the land without any challenge from the defendants/respondents or anyone at all.

They said 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.

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)

Update news