By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — A civil society organisation, the Africa Centre for Good Governance and Corruption Free Communities, has backed efforts to resolve a long-running property dispute in Maitama, urging parties to embrace dialogue and avoid further litigation.

The dispute, involving two flats at No. 1 Mekong Close, has lingered in court for about five years.

The group’s Convener, Comrade Temitope Olubunmi Joseph, called on those involved to sheathe their swords and give room for negotiation, warning that prolonged legal battles would only drain time and resources.

A lawyer, Victor Giwa, his client, Cecil Osakwe, and a police officer, Edith Erhunmuuse, are accused of illegally ejecting occupants from the flats.

The group also commended Justice Samira Bature of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for vacating an arrest warrant earlier issued against Giwa, saying the decision could strengthen ongoing reconciliation efforts.

“We have watched with keen interest, proceedings in this matter in the past few years, we commend the efforts of parties to reconcile and have this matter put behind them once and for all,” Joseph said.

“If there are other ways to have issues sorted out, there is no need to waste hard earned money in using government resources on this matter.

“We commend the Learned Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, Dr Ahmed Raji, and Mr Joe Agi, for their interventions in this matter which has lingered for many years and spread like ‘wildfire fire’ in the courts.

“We appreciate you Sirs and we do not take your interventions for granted.”

Last week, Justice Bature, sitting in Maitama, issued an arrest warrant against Giwa and Erhunmuuse. They were to be arraigned alongside Osakwe on a nine-count charge marked FCT/HC/CR/222/2023, filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

The charges accuse them of criminal conduct, including the forceful eviction of occupants and property damage estimated at N300 million.