An Abuja-based legal entity has initiated legal proceedings against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal Capital Development Authority, claiming a N1 billion lawsuit regarding the alleged improper confiscation of a property owned by Green Lake International Limited. The lawsuit, identified as FCT/HC/ABJ/CV/416/2024, involves the defendants which include the FCT Minister, FCDA, and Lodigiani Nigeria Limited. The disputed property, situated at Plot 2786, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama District, Abuja, is at the center of the dispute.
Green Lake International Limited, as the plaintiff, asserts its ownership of the property, backed by a Certificate of Occupancy (No. Ia60w-1566c-6723r-10220-20) issued on 29th September 2006. The legal entity is requesting N1 billion in damages for alleged intrusion and wrongful confiscation of the property.
Lydia Anenga, representing the Reuben Atabo (SAN) legal firm, filed the lawsuit seeking the court to reverse the 2006 confiscation order and invalidate the Certificate of Occupancy allegedly transferred to Lodigiani Nigeria Limited by the FCT Minister and FCDA while a property-related lawsuit was ongoing.
Green Lake contends that the property was initially allocated to Lodigiani in 1990 but was revoked in 1997 due to failure to develop it. Subsequently, the plot was reassigned to another company, Aso Plaza, in 1997 under Certificate No. FCT/ABU/MISC/15, 255.
The legal entity maintains that it acquired Aso Plaza’s interest in 2006, applied for re-certification of the Certificate of Occupancy, and received a new one in 2006. However, the FCT Minister and FCDA purportedly revoked its ownership in 2009, transferring the title back to Lodigiani.
Green Lake seeks a court declaration affirming its rightful ownership and occupation of the property and the right to remove trespassers. Additionally, it demands that the revocation by the Minister and FCDA be deemed illegal and null. Alongside the N1 billion in damages, the legal entity requests compensation for alleged intrusion and restoration of its property title.
The FCT High Court, under the jurisdiction of Justice M. A Hassan, has scheduled a hearing for 19th November.