Firm sues FCT minister, FCDA for N1bn over property revocation

An Abuja-based law firm has filed a N1 billion lawsuit against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal Capital Development Authority over the alleged unlawful revocation of a property belonging to Green Lake International Limited.

In the suit marked FCT/HC/ABJ/CV/416/2024, the defendants include the FCT Minister, FCDA, and Lodigiani Nigeria Limited. The disputed property is located at Plot 2786, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama District, Abuja.

Green Lake International Limited, the plaintiff, claims ownership of the property, supported by a Certificate of Occupancy (No. Ia60w-1566c-6723r-10220-20) dated 29th September 2006.

The firm is seeking N1 billion in compensation for alleged trespass and wrongful revocation of the property.

Filed by Lydia Anenga of the Reuben Atabo (SAN) law firm, the lawsuit requests the court to overturn the revocation order issued in 2006 and nullify the Certificate of Occupancy that the FCT Minister and FCDA allegedly transferred to Lodigiani Nigeria Limited while a suit concerning the property was pending.

In its claim, Green Lake asserted that the property was initially allocated to Lodigiani on 20th November 1990 but was revoked by the FCDA on 22nd October 1997 due to Lodigiani’s failure to develop it.

Following the revocation, the plot was reallocated in 1997 to another company, Aso Plaza, under Certificate No. FCT/ABU/MISC/15, 255.

In 2006, the firm asserted that it “acquired the interest of Aso Plaza, after which it applied for re-certification of the Certificate of Occupancy and was issued a new one with number Ia60w-1566c-6723r-10220-20, dated 29th September 2006, upon which all statutory payments were made and receipts issued.”

However, it claims the FCT Minister and FCDA subsequently revoked its ownership on 22nd May 2009, transferring the title back to Lodigiani.
The plaintiff is seeking a court declaration that it remains the rightful owner and occupier of the property, with the right to remove trespassers.

The company also requests that the revocation by the Minister and FCDA be declared illegal, null, and void.

In addition to the N1 billion in damages, the firm is demanding compensation for alleged trespass and seeks restoration of its title to the property.

Justice M. A Hassan of the FCT High Court has scheduled the hearing for 19th November.