An Abuja-based lawyer, Alexander Oketa, has dragged the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over land ownership tussle between Jona Brothers Construction Limited and the chairman, Elizade Motors, Chief Michael Adeojo, demanding the sum of N500 million as general damages.
Acting on behalf of Jona Brothers, the lawyer joined the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, and some EFCC officials as respondents in the suit.
Barrister Oketa had petitioned the EFCC Chairman last week, urging him to call his personnel who were allegedly involved in land grabbing in Abuja to order.
The counsel for the plaintiffs claimed that there have been many court judgments, Police Investigation reports on a parcel of land under dispute, situated at Plot 680-689, Cadastral Zone, B06 Mabushi, Abuja, all of which gave the authentic ownership of the said land to Jona Brothers.
According to him, in a twist of event, the anti-corruption commission dabbled into the land tussle, insisting that the land belongs to Chief Adeojo.
He further claimed that EFCC operatives stormed the premises Thursday last week and sealed off the property while threatening to arrest anyone who goes near the disputed land.
Oketa alleged that the EFCC operatives claimed they were relying on an ex-parte order of interim forfeiture.
However, in a fundamental rights enforcement suit he filed before the High Court of the FCT, on behalf of Jona Brothers Construction Limited, Bullion Properties Limited, Oyenbueke Uche Vincent and John Oyih, the counsel for the plaintiffs sought an order directing EFCC to immediately unseal the property and allow his clients unrestrained access to it.
The plaintiffs also sought an order declaring the invasion and threats to arrest and detain the owners of the land by the EFCC as “ultra vires; arbitrary; prejudicial; without precedent; unprocedural; unconstitutional; subversion of the rule of law and due administration of justice; subversion of the independence, authority and integrity of the judiciary; and a violation of the applicants fundamental rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom to own movable and immovable property guaranteed under Sections 35, 36, 43 & 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)”.
The lawyer posited that; “The facts of this suit as it relates to the Applicants is a simple land dispute and attempts by the EFCC officials to retake possession of the land and hand same to the Applicants’ defeated opponent, Chief Michael Adeojo (owner of Elizade Motors), whom the EFCC gave verdict as the owner of the land, contrary to the verdicts of three (3) judgments and rulings of three (3) Justices of the FCT High Court Abuja, having exclusive jurisdiction over land matters.”
To support his clients’ legitimate claim as owners of the said parcel of land, Oketa gave a breakdown of the judgments and rulings of the courts, “Judgement of His Lordship, Justice Ibrahim Mohammed, in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/42/2023, prohibiting the EFCC and entity acting on its behalf, from Plot 680-689…
“Judgement of Hon. Justice S.U. Bature, Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/05/2020, declaring the applicants owners of the land. Ruling of Hon. Justice Binta Mohamed, in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/806/2022, dismissing Chief Michael Adeojo’s quest to set aside the judgement; and order of Hon. Justice Olajuwon of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/779/2023, ordering the EFCC to maintain status quo.”
The plaintiffs/applicants contended that “the respondents took laws into their hands and recklessly carried out the aforementioned illegal acts, without the approval of the enforcement unit of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where they covertly obtained the ex parte order.”
They added further that, “The respondents violated the sanctity of the courts and the applicants’ rights to liberty, fair hearing, acquire and own properties, as enshrined in the Sections 35, 43, and 44 of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 6 and 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right, hence this suit.”
They, therefore, sought an order of the court directing the 8th Respondent (the IGP), to accord them all necessary protection and security needed for their peaceful possession of the said property.
However, no date for hearing of the suit has been fixed yet.
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