An interesting case has come up in an Abuja high court as an Abuja based company sued the Interior Minister Abdulrahman DAMABAZZAU for criminal trespass.
The Minister was alleged to have brought in caterpillars owned by his leasing company to destroy another company’s property around 9:30 in the night after visiting the plots of land earlier and threatening to do same. The land in question is located on Airport Road, Lugbe, Abuja

According to the statement of claims, which we have in our possession, the said land referred to as Plot PFS 1996 and MF 1998 in Lugbe East District were originally allocated to Amobi And Associates by Abuja Municipal Area Council zonal land through a Right of Occupancy dated 11:3:98.
The said plots were however bought and taken over by Felodit Oil and Gas limited which went ahead to perfect it’s papers with the Ministry of Federal CapitalTerritory while also ensuring that proper change of ownership was documented and the appropriate organs of the Ministry were carried along.
Based on this, Felodit Oil was issued a Statutory Right of Occupancy dated 20:2:2000. The company was also issued the survey plan showing the areas of the plots. Documentation were done .by all the necessary agencies of the Federal Capital Territory and by these documentations, most of which the company attached to its court papers, the ministry acknowledged that the land belonged to the company.
The Statement of Claim further showed how the plaintiff in the suit was issued Conveyance of Approval for development Plans on the plots in June 2004 and it applied for its building plans revalidation in 2016 when it was ready to commence work at the site.
According to the Statement of Claim, its building plan was approved and a letter dated 20:07:2016 was issued conveying the approval of the revalidation of the building plan after which the company moved to site.
It was gathered that work started on two security gate houses as well as the perimeter fencing round the plot with about Seven million, seven hundred and thirty three thousand six hundred and fifty Naira already expended. This was the situation till 8th October when the Minister allegedly visited the site and was seen there by Obinna Kingsley Betterman who moulds block around the site.
DANBAZZAU allegedly confronted the man and threatened to demolish the structure on the plot claiming it was his. This was around 7.30 pm.
According to the Statement of Claims, Danbazzau carried out his threat as caterpillars, belongning to a leasing company owned by him moved in around 9:30pm the same evening, despite the fact that it was raining. The plaintiff reported the matter at the Lugbe Police Station where some policemen went to the site with the DCO2 and arrested policemen who accompanied the Minister’s caterpillar to the site. Upon their arrest, the policemen, who were led by a Superintendent of Police claimed that they were sent by a ‘highly placed Nigerian but refused to mention names. It was later confirmed that the policemen were attached to the Ministry of Interior where DAMBAZZAU presides as Minister.
The DPO of Lugbe Police Station there and then directed that both parties should come back the to the station with their proof of ownership of the plot on 10th October.
According to the Statement of Claim, the plaintiff complied but the defendant, that is Dambazzau never did. Based on the development, the DPO directed that the plaintiff go back to site and continue with his construction as the other party did not turn up neither did they send any representation.
Based on the above the plaintiff put the total cost of the demolished structure as well as the cost of the suit, together at above 12million Naira. It is also seeking a declaration from the court, affirming that it’s the owner of the plots as shown in the Rights of Occupancy dated 20:2:2000.
Apart from this, Felodit oil is also seeking an order declaring the act by the Minister and his agents on the land on 08:10:2016 as trespass while also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining Danbazzau and his agents from disturbing the plaintiff’s activities on his land. They are also praying the court to order the Minister to pay special General and exemplary damages totaling about 30million Naira to the plaintiff.
The suit comes up on 31st of January for mention.
Source : abujareporters com.ng

Jagageria

I give kudos to the DPO for prompt and professional handling of the matter without cowing the powers of the arrogant Minister.

Ghenghen scene one act one, jail the murafacker if found guilty, rubbish

foolish minister, disgrace to nigeria

Why this criminal and his predecessor, Moro, are still walking around free men beats me.

Wwhat a country.

Na dem go win d case...