The President, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and two others are facing a lawsuit filed by Nigeria’s former First Lady, Hajia Mariam Sani Abacha, and her son, Mohammed Sani Abacha. They have taken the matter to the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking the recovery of a property allegedly unlawfully revoked from former Head of State, Late General Sani Abacha.
Located in the Maitama District of Abuja, the property was reportedly revoked by the Federal Government and sold to a private company, Salamed Ventures Limited, without the Abacha family’s knowledge.
Seeking to overturn the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which dismissed their suit on the property on May 19, 2024, the Abacha family is urging the Court of Appeal to void and set aside the ruling.
Named as respondents in the appeal are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (MFCT), Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Salamed Ventures Limited.
Represented by Reuben Atabo, SAN, the Abacha family argues that Justice Lifu made legal errors and failed to deliver justice in his assessment of their case on the property, citing multiple grounds for their appeal.
One critical point of contention is the claim that the court lacked jurisdiction to handle their case, a decision that contradicts a previous ruling by the Court of Appeal assigning jurisdiction to the Federal High Court.
Disputing the revocation of the property’s title and subsequent sale to a third party during the legal proceedings, the Abacha family asserts their legal standing and rightful ownership of the disputed property.
They challenge the judgment that dismissed their case, arguing that the property’s revocation and sale were not done in accordance with relevant laws and constitutional provisions.
Highlighting procedural irregularities and violations of their legal rights, the Abacha family calls for the Court of Appeal to overturn the lower court’s ruling and provide a fair resolution to the dispute over the Abuja property.
While the appeal process unfolds, the exact date for the court hearing is yet to be scheduled.