2 land allotees drag FCT Minister to Court over alleged seizure

**”Demand N500m damages

Two aggrieved Land allottees have dragged the FCT Minister, Alh Mohammed Bello to Court over alleged seizure of their plots of Land by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA)..

The claimants are demanding for N500 million as damages for the defendants’ alledged act of trespass, which has allegedly caused them (Claimants) unnecessary apprehension, trauma, pains and depression.

Our correspondent reports on Thursday that joined in the suit, which is before an Appo High Court 29, was the FCDA as 2nd defendant.

The allottees, Mr Ahmed A. Musa and Rasheed Musa, through their Counsels Mr Christopher Edo-Ojo, and Mr John Godwin, accused the minister and the FCDA of alleged clandestine moves to seize their lands situated at Mpape “D” Bwari Area Council, Abuja, from them.

In an originating Summon, the duo prayed the court to issue an injunction restraining Bello and FCDA from making any attempt or action against their allegedly legitimately acquired plots of Land pending the determination of the suit before it.

They prayed the court to determine whether with due consideration to section 44 of the Federation of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution (as amended) and section 28(6)(7) of the Land Used Act, the defendants can expropriate the claimants’ title to lands situated at Mpape “D” in Bwari Area Council, Abuja, without their consent, due negotiation and permission.

The claimants asked for a declaration that the purported revocation, allocation or re-allocation or grant of any type to any other person (s) as unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

The duo also prayed the court for an “injunction restraining the defendants either by themselves or through their privies, servants, agents, representatives or otherwise from revocating, appropriating, re-allocation or re-alloting or granting to any other person (s) any form of right of occupancy or title to the claimants’ lands situated at Mpape “D” Bwari Area Council, Abuja.”

“An order nullifying any purported revocation or re-allotment of the claimants’ lands situated at Mpape “D” Bwari Area Council, Abuja.

“An order compelling the 2nd defendant to perform the statutory duties of processing the claimants’ applications for building permits and render all other services offered to the public by the 2nd defendant’s Land Department and Development Control Department.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their privies, agents, Officers, assigns, and/or any person(s) howsoever described, deriving title instruction and authority from the defendants.

“From trespassing or continuing to trespass and interfering with or in anyway, disturbing the claimants quiet possession, occupation, use and enjoyment of the said lands, ” they further prayed.

However the case has been fixed for Feb 2 for mention.