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Lawyer petitions Chief of Air Staff over personnel’s invasion of disputed Abuja property

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An Abuja based lawyer, Jacob Solomon Agada has petitioned the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Hassan Bala Abubakar over alleged unlawful arrest, detention and torture of his client’s workers in Abuja by some Air Force personnel over a land dispute, in respect of which a suit is currently pending before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The land dispute is said to be between one Sheik Jibril Ibrahim and Stats Global Homes Ltd on one side and Alhaji Manir Lawal and three others on the other side, with the suit now pending before Justice Othman Musa of High Court No 7 of the FCT.

Agada said despite the pendency of the suit, marked FCTHC/CV/3844/2024, a group of Air Force personnel led by the Provost, Nigeria Air Force Camp, Mogadishu Barrack, Asokoro, Abuja, Flight Lieutenant Hussein Habib Denja, unlawfully dabbled into the property dispute with invasion and forceful abduction of workers of his client, Stats Global Homes Ltd, the 2nd plaintiff in the suit.

In the petition received by the office of the Chief of Air Staff on July 25, the said Flight Lieutenant Hussein was alleged to have taken sides with Alhaji Manir Lawal with the arrest of his clients’ workers twice and taken them to unlawful custody.

Agada alleged that the said Provost engaged in gross abuse of office on July 22, when he led a team of armed Air Force personnel and several young Airforce officers and invaded the premises of his Client’s property purportedly acting on the prompting of Alhaji Manir Lawal, the Ist Defendant in the pending court case.

The lawyer claimed that without any lawful justification or judicial backing, the said military personnel forcefully invaded his client’s property at plot 1317 and 1328, Extension I11 B Layout, Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, FCT-Abuja, arrested three staff members and bundled them to the Air Force facility at Mogadishu Barracks for unlawful detention.

He said while efforts were being made to secure the release of the three workers, the same Flight Lieutenant Hussein Habib Denja in company of one Flight Lieutenant A. A. Abdulahi., a regular officer in Charge of Regiment Personnel, came back with additional troops and forcefully abducted two other unarmed workers and brutally assaulted them.

Agada claimed that the last two abducted workers, Omeje Usman Eneojo and one Sunday are currently on admission at Kubwa General Hospital, where they are receiving treatment for severe injuries inflicted on them during the unlawful assault.

He pleaded photographic evidence of attacks against the workers and their medical reports to establish the case of unprofessional conduct against the Air Force personnel.

The lawyer therefore demanded a full scale probe into the alleged unprofessional conduct of the personnel with a view to fish them out for sanctions.

He also demanded a sum of N300 million compensation for the victims of the unlawful arrest and detention as well as public apologies.

The lawyer threatened to take legal action against NAF should it refuse to meet the demands of the victims within 7 days of receipt of the petition.

The petition obtained by our correspondent read in part “We are Solicitors to Stats Global Homes Limited, the 2nd Claimant in the above mentioned suit, and beneficial owner of Plots 1317 and 1328, Extension I11 B Layout, Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, FCT-Abuja, hereinafter referred to as “our client.”

“We write upon our Client’s instructions and in utmost concern over a disturbing and unlawful incident that occurred on the 22nd day of July, 2025.

“On the said date, a certain Flight Lieutenant Hussein Habib Denja, a Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) – Officer In Charge of the Provost Squadron (OC Provost) 053 HQ NAF Camp, Asokoro, Abuja and one Flight Lieutenant A. A Abdullahi a Regular Officer from NDA. The Officer In Charge of Regiment Personnel (OC Regiment) 053 HQ NAF Camp Abuja, led a team of armed Nigerian Air Force personnel and several young Airforce personnel to the premises of our Client, purportedly acting on the prompting of Alhaji Manir Lawal, the Ist Defendant in the above-referenced suit, which is currently pending before Court No. 7 of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama, Abuja.

“Without any lawful justification or judicial backing, the said military personnel forcefully invaded our client’s property and arrested three staff members, who were subsequently taken to the Air Force facility at Mogadishu Barracks.

“Disturbingly, the same Flight Lieutenant Hussein Habib Denja in company of one Flight Lieutenant A. A. Abdulahi, a regular officer in Charge of Regiment Personnel (O. C. Regiment) 053 HQ NAF Camp, Asokoro, Abuja later mobilized additional troops, returned to a building adjacent to our client’s property and abducted two other unarmed members after
brutal assault and taken them away.

“The names of the victims are Omeje Usman Eneojo and one Sunday and are currently on admission at Kubwa General Hospital, where they are receiving treatment for severe injuries sustained in the unlawful assault.

“Photographic evidence and medical reports will be tendered during trial.

“This act of flagrant abuse of military power, carried out under the leadership of the personnel does not only undermine the sanctity of the judiciary and its processes but also violates the constitutional rights of our client’s staff to dignity of persons and protection from unlawful arrest and torture.

“We hereby state unequivocally that the Nigerian Air Force has no legal mandate to intervene in civil land matters;

“That the actions of the named officers, leading other personnel constitute contempt of court and a reckless attempt to use state apparatus to favor one party in an ongoing suit.

“That this conduct erodes public trust in the neutrality and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“In view of the above, we respectfully demand the following:

“An immediate comprehensive investigation into the actions of Provost H.E. Hussein and all military personnel involved in the illegal operation of 22nd July 2025;

“Administrative sanctions and disciplinary measures against all identified officers;

“A formal apology from the Nigerian Air Force to our Client and the affected staff;

“Full compensation for the physical, emotional, and psychological trauma suffered by the victims valued in the sum of Three Hundred Million Naira only (N300M)

“Please take notice that failure of NAF to act within seven days of your receipt of this letter will leave us with no option but to proceed with legal action before the competent Court of law and petition the National Human Rights Commission and the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) without further notice.

Although Justice Othman Musa has slated suit in respect of the property for hearing, efforts to get reactions of the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame to the alleged unlawful invasion, arrest and detention of the victims were unsuccessful.

The NAF spokesperson did not respond to several calls and messages put through her cell phone.

The Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf had assigned the case on the disputed property to Justice Othman Musa for determination before the alleged unlawful involvement of the NAF personnel in the land dispute between civilians.

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Igboho Apologises To Alaafin Over Comment At Ooni’s Palace

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Yoruba nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo who is popularly called Sunday Igboho, has apologised to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, over a statement he made during his visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

In a video late Saturday, Sunday Igboho dismissed the claims of insulting Oba Owoade, saying “I have nothing to gain in abusing the Alaafin”.

The Yoruba nation agitator insisted that his remarks at the Ooni’s palace were self-praise drawn from his lineage’s traditional eulogy.

He maintained that he holds the Alaafin in high esteem, describing him as an important ruler in Yorubaland.

Igboho clarified that his reference to the Alaafin as not having a crown was not intended as an insult, but as part of his family’s praise chant, which was well-known to Oba Owoade himself.

He stressed that his intention was to promote peace and unity among Yoruba monarchs, not to stir conflict.

“My father, Olugbon, called me and explained to me that our father, Alaafin of Oyo, said I was abusing him when I was at the Ooni of Ife’s Palace. I was not abusing you; why would I be abusing you? Olugbon is not a small king in Yoruba land, and if he corrects me on something, I will definitely make amendments immediately.

“Alaafin is not a small king in Yoruba land for someone like me to be talking anyhow to. I’m also from Oyo. That’s the way they normally eulogise us in my lineage, which the Alaafin is also aware of.

“They would say, ‘L’ade l’ade l’ade, Alaafin doesn’t have a crown, it is the crown of Aladikun that was collected for Alaafin’. That’s how they eulogise us in our Aladikun lineage.

“Ooni of Ife is a peaceful person; if not, I’ve abused him before, and when I entered his palace, they were still eulogising me in his presence and he didn’t say anything.

“So I also eulogised myself as a true son of Aladikun. All these things did not annoy the Ooni of Ife. He still celebrated me and called other powerful monarchs to honour and pray for me.

“I have nothing to gain in abusing Alaafin. What I’m after is for peace to reign among all of our kings; that is our prayer.

“Please, forgive me, I dare not disrespect you,” Igboho pleaded with the Alaafin.

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‘I Didn’t Abuse Alaafin’ – Sunday Igboho Speaks After Visiting Ooni

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Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has denied claims that he insulted the Alaafin of Oyo during his weekend visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

Reacting to reports sparked by comments he made at the Ooni’s palace on Saturday, Igboho insisted that his words were misinterpreted, stressing that he regarded the Alaafin as a father figure and a foremost monarch in Yorubaland.

In a viral video on Saturday night, Igboho said, “My father, the Olugbon, called me and said the Alaafin felt I insulted him when I visited the Ooni. I want to make it clear that I never abused the Alaafin. I can’t and I won’t. The Alaafin is not a small monarch in Yorubaland. I am from Oyo, and the Alaafin is my father.”

Explaining the circumstances, Igboho stated that the confusion arose from traditional praise singing during his palace visit.

“When I visited the Ooni, the drummers and singers praised me with my family heritage. I only added to it. I said Ooni is a father of peace.

“I was surprised when he still welcomed me warmly, celebrated me and prayed for me despite all that had happened before. That was what I was emphasising. I didn’t insult the Alaafin,” he clarified.

The activist noted that the self-praise, or oríkì, was a long-standing cultural practice and not an act of disrespect.

“I can’t abuse Alaafin. I am his son. Even when I visited him, I greeted myself with the same oriki. That is how we do in our family compound.

“If my words were misunderstood, I ask for forgiveness. I never meant to insult the Alaafin,” Igboho added.

Reiterating his loyalty to Yoruba tradition, Igboho stressed that he would never speak ill of any monarch, noting that harmony among royal fathers was crucial for the unity of the Yoruba nation

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Sultan Declares Monday As First Day Of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH

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The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Monday, 25th August, 2025, as the first Day of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH.

It was reports that the declaration was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, and Wazirin Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.

He stated that the decision followed reports from the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon sighting Committee, which confirmed that no sighting of the new crescent was received from Moon sighting Committees across the Country on Saturday, 23rd August, 2025, corresponding to 29th Safar 1447AH.

It explained that Sunday, 24th August, 2025, would therefore be the 30th Day of Safar, thereby making Monday the First Day of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH.

Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has faulted the proposed bill at the Senate seeking to officially designate the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto as permanent Co-Chairmen of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria.

The Ohanaeze warned that such a move marginalises other ethnic nationalities and violates principles of fairness and equity.

The organisation, in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ezechi Chukwu, described the bill, which has already passed second reading, as discriminatory, ethnocentric and unjust.

Ohanaeze stated that it was “astounded” by the rationale behind the bill, accusing the Senate of utter disregard for fairness, equity, justice and the principle of federal character, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

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