An Abuja-based lawyer, Mathew Onoja, has called on the government and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to intervene in a land dispute involving his client in Kado, Abuja. The dispute concerns a property lawfully occupied by his client under a lease from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). Onoja alleged that despite a pending court case, some individuals attempted to take over the property.
According to Onoja, the circumstances surrounding the purported allocation of the same property to another party were unusual and abnormal. His client had petitioned the IGP, seeking an investigation into how the property could have been allocated to another party while he remained in possession. The police had indicated that the other party would be contacted and asked to produce documents and evidence supporting its claim.
Onoja claimed that before the investigation could be concluded, an attempt was made to take over the property. His client immediately notified the police and the Development Control Unit of the FCTA about the dispute and the ongoing court case. Relevant parties had been joined in the suit, and hearing notices were issued to them. The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing in October 2026.
Despite the pending proceedings and notification to the relevant authorities, some men arrived at the property with equipment and bulldozers and began destroying parts of the premises. The perimeter fence was pulled down, trees were felled, and installations belonging to Onoja's client were destroyed. Onoja met the same group of people returning to continue the work the following morning.
Onoja argued that his client was being trampled upon because other interests involved had greater resources or power. He demanded that due process be followed and that the parties maintain the status quo until the court determines their respective rights. Onoja called on the government, the FCT minister, and the IGP to intervene in the matter.
Civil society advocate, Armsfree Ajanaku, said his group became involved because the dispute also raised questions about the protection of Abuja's green areas. Ajanaku added that the group's immediate concern was adherence to the rule of law, but it was also concerned that the disputed location was a green area allegedly designated under the Abuja master plan.
Onoja's client had previously been invited by the police in connection with the matter, and Development Control officials had been made aware of the dispute and the ongoing police investigation. The lawyer emphasized that his demand was not merely a personal demand but the demand of every right-thinking Nigerian that due process be followed.
Key points
- The dispute involves a property in Kado, Abuja, lawfully occupied by Onoja's client under a lease from the FCTA.
- Onoja has called on the government, the FCT minister, and the IGP to intervene in the matter.
- The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing in October 2026.
