The Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, eldest daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and six others to appear on March 6 over their alleged involvement in a disputed landed property in the Asokoro District of Abuja.
Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the defendants to appear and explain why they should not be restrained from trespassing on the property, located at Plot 4254, Cadastral Zone A04, measuring approximately 1.67 hectares.
Others summoned include former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator Philip Aduda, newly elected Ohaneze Ndigbo President John Mbata, as well as Ismail Iro, Jamaila Sani Alhassan, and Altine Jibrin. The court also directed that the summons be served through substituted means, by publishing it in two national newspapers.
The order followed an ex-parte application filed by ABB Electrical Systems Limited and Chief Amb. Yohana Y.D. Margif, who claimed ownership of the property based on a Statutory Right of Occupancy granted to them. Their lawyer, Mr. Abniyilo Na’allah, urged the court to issue a restraining order to prevent the defendants from entering, altering, or taking possession of the land.
The plaintiffs argued that they had been in peaceful possession of the property without any interference until the recent activities of the defendants, including Senator Obasanjo, became a source of concern. They maintained that allowing the defendants access to the land could cause irreparable damage and render the court’s eventual judgment ineffective.
According to an affidavit deposed by Chief Margif, the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA) allocated the land to ABB Electrical Systems Limited on May 23, 2006, with plans for development in line with regulatory requirements.
After reviewing the application, Justice Ekwo ruled that the matter could not be decided without hearing from the defendants.
“I hereby make an order that the plaintiffs/applicants should put the defendants on notice within seven days of this order, and the defendants should show cause why the prayers sought should not be granted,” the judge stated.
