NUJ Wins Property Dispute As Court Affirms It’s Three Bedroom Ownership

A Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has ruled in favor of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in a property dispute case filed by Olubamii Stephen.

The case, which commenced in 2022, centered on a property consisting of two units of 3-bedroom semi-detached bungalows allocated to NUJ by the Federal Housing Authority, FHA, on December 21, 1993. The allocation was made via a letter with reference number FHA/LEM/FCT/KE/PH.III/3BB/2BB.

The plaintiff, Olubamii Stephen, claimed rights to the property based on a receipt issued by the Ad-hoc Committee on Sale of FGN Houses in the FCT. However, the FHA denied knowledge of the Ad-hoc Committee and asserted that NUJ is the legitimate owner of the property, having been duly allocated the property with valid documents.

Delivering his judgment, Magistrate Okepe Mohammed Ibrahim affirmed that the property was fully allocated to NUJ. His Lordship further warned the plaintiff to desist from trespassing on the said property or harassing the owner.

The judgment underscores the importance of proper documentation in property transactions and recognizes NUJ’s legitimate ownership of the disputed property.

The NUJ has welcomed the judgment, reiterating its commitment to protecting the interests of its members and upholding the rule of law

AKOREDE R. Opeyemi
Assistant National Secretary, NUJ