Court summons Iyabo Obasanjo, Phillip Aduda over alleged trespass on Abuja property

A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to appear before it to address allegations of trespassing on a parcel of land in Abuja.

The order was issued by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Tuesday in response to an ex-parte motion filed by ABB Electrical Systems Limited and Chief Ambassador Yohana Y.D. Margif, the plaintiffs in the case. The property in question, located at Plot 4254, Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, measures approximately 1.67 hectares.

The court also summoned Senator Philip Aduda, a former representative of the Federal Capital Territory, along with five other co-defendants, to appear and show cause why they should not be restrained from entering or modifying the property.

Justice Ekwo ruled that the prayers sought by the plaintiffs could not be granted without giving the defendants an opportunity to respond. He, however, approved a request for substituted service of court documents on the defendants through publication in two national newspapers.

The judge ordered the plaintiffs to notify the defendants of the case within seven days and adjourned the matter until March 6, 2025, for the defendants to respond.

The plaintiffs claim to be the rightful owners of the property by virtue of a Statutory Right of Occupancy granted by the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA) in May 2006.

In their motion, the plaintiffs expressed concern over alleged threats by the defendants to forcibly take possession of the land. They argued that such actions would result in irreparable damage and render the court’s judgment ineffective.

They further asserted that they have maintained peaceful possession of the property and are preparing to commence development in line with the statutory requirements.

“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 court will determine whether to grant an interim injunction restraining the defendants from any activities on the property pending the resolution of the case.