By Desire Emmanuel
Daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Iyabo, is currently embroiled in a landed property dispute saga at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The property is located at Plot 4254, Cadastral Zone A04, measuring approximately 1.67 hectares in Asokoro District, Abuja.
In fact, a suit was filed against her and others over the property dispute, on Monday, January 26, but it suffered a setback as no lawyer appeared at the Federal High Court when the case was mentioned.
Other defendants in the suit are the former Senator representing the FCT, Philip Aduda; Ismail Iron; John Mbata; Jamaila Sani Alhassan; Altine Jibrin, and unknown persons as second to seventh defendants respectively.
Neither the plaintiffs nor the defendants were represented before Justice Mohammed Umar in the case and the matter was consequently adjourned till March 30 for further mention.
According to court documents, the plaintiffs, ABB Electrical Systems Limited and Ambassador Yohana Margif, had dragged Iyabo Obasanjo and others to court over a dispute on the landed property.
The plaintiffs had sought an order of interim injunction restraining Iyabo Obasanjo and others from entering, trespassing, altering or modifying the said property pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
In their six-ground argument, the plaintiffs said they were agitated with the fear of the defendants trespassing and altering the property belonging to them.
They said they were the rightful owners of the land by virtue of the statutory Right of Occupancy granted to them.
“That the plaintiffs have been in quiet and peaceful possession of the land without any challenge from the defendants or anyone at all.
“It will cause serious miscarriage of justice against the plaintiffs if the defendants are allowed to tamper with, enter, trespass, alter or modify the property belonging to the plaintiffs.
“Allowing the defendants 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.
They therefore said irreparable damage would be caused to them if the defendants were not restrained.
Margif, in the affidavit he deposed to, stated that their company was allocated the parcel of land by the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA) covered by a Statutory Right of Occupancy with a new issued date of May 23, 2006.
He said the company intended to start developing the said land in compliance with terms contained in the statutory Right of Occupancy and other guiding rules and laws within the FCT.
He alleged that the recent activities of the defendants, including Iyabo Obasanjo, who represented Ogun Central Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, had become worrisome.
Margif prayed the court to grant their application in the interest of justice.
