Abuja property dispute: Parties urged to embrace dialogue, seek reconciliation
Civic Organization Supports Reconciliation Efforts in Abuja Property Dispute
ABUJA—The Africa Centre for Good Governance and Corruption Free Communities has expressed support for reconciliation efforts related to a long-standing property dispute in the Maitama District of Abuja.
The dispute involves two flats located at No. 1, Mekong Close, and has been the subject of legal proceedings for the past five years. Temitope Olubunmi Joseph, the group’s convener, urged all parties involved to cease hostilities and pursue negotiation.
“Full litigation will not benefit anyone and will only waste time and resources,” Joseph said.
Legal representation for one party in the dispute includes attorney Victor Giwa, who along with his client, Cecil Osakwe, and police official Edith Erhunmuuse, faces allegations of unlawfully evicting an occupant from the flats. The Attorney General of the Federation has brought nine charges against them, which include property damage estimated at 300 million naira.
The group commended Justice Samira Bature of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for recently vacating an arrest warrant issued against Giwa. Joseph noted that the court’s decision might encourage further reconciliation.
“We have followed the proceedings with great interest over the years,” Joseph remarked. “We appreciate the efforts of all parties to resolve this matter and commend the interventions of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Dr. Ahmed Raji and Mr. Joe Agi.”
In a hearing last week, Justice Bature issued the arrest warrant for Giwa and Erhunmuuse, who were to be arraigned alongside Osakwe. The case has attracted significant attention as it continues to unfold in the courts.
