Property dispute results in lawyer’s detention – Here’s what happened
The conflict began when a property company refused to sell a flat to Asabe Waziri, who attempted to pay over $40,000 in cash. Victor Giwa, the lawyer involved, was released from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Area 10, Abuja, at approximately 9:30 pm on Tuesday. He explained that his detention stemmed from a letter from his law firm that had apparently angered the FCID Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aina Emmanuel, from the Special Enquiry Bureau (SIB).
Giwa had visited senior police officers who had previously sent officers to his client’s premises, Abeh Signature Apartment, to arrest one of its staff members. The background of the conflict involves Asabe Waziri, an employee of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), who has been in a serious dispute with Abeh Signature Apartment. The issue arose after the property company refused to sell a flat to Waziri, citing her misconduct.
Giwa claims that Waziri has been using some officers of the Nigeria Police Force to unlawfully gain entry and occupy the flats, despite a direct and clear FCT High Court order restraining her from trespassing on the property. In 2022, an FCT High Court in Abuja ruled that Waziri’s contract with the property company was lawfully terminated and ordered an immediate refund of all payments made. Abeh Signature complied with this order and refunded Waziri, but she refused to accept it.
The property remains in dispute due to Waziri’s insistence on claiming ownership of the flats and using security operatives to take possession forcibly.