Plaintiff Accuses Police, Asabe Waziri Of Delay In Suit Seeking Judicial Review Of Alleged Unresolved Murder

... Says Victim's Family Crying For Justice

By Our Reporter 

The alleged murder case filed by a civil society organisation, the Incorporated Trustees of Global Integrity Crusade Network, GICN, against the Inspector-General of Police and Asabe Waziri has suffered several adjournments. 

The plaintiff in the matter has accused the defendants, Asabe Waziri and the Nigeria Police of delaying the matter. 

According to the plaintiff, the Nigerian Pice has only filed conditional appearance in the matter about two years since it was instituted

The case, filed on the 18th May, 2024 was assigned to Justice Gladys Olotu but has about five adjournments. 

GICN had filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, against the Inspector General of Police, over failure to release the probe report of an “unresolved murder” case involving one Asabe Waziri, a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.

By the suit marked FHC/ABM/CS/742/2024, the plaintiff (GICN) wants the court to make an order of granting it leave to apply for judicial review by way of order of mandamus compelling the Respondent to forthwith release to the Applicant based on the demand letter dated 2nd May, 2024, the final investigation report of the case involving Asabe Waziri who allegedly hit a pregnant woman, Mrs Shitua Aso, with her car in front of the FCT Police Command, Garki 2, Abuja, on or about 30th May, 2010.

The plaintiff in the suit dated May 29, 2024, is seeking a declaration that the failure, refusal and or neglect by the Respondent to release the information and documents requested for by the Applicant vide their letter to the Respondent dated 27 May, 2024 amounts to a violation of Sections 4 and 5 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 and therefore unjustifiable, wrongful and illegal.

Since the case was filed in 2024, it has been moving on a snail speed. 

GICN has therefore called on the Chief Judge of the court to re-assign the case to another judge. 

In a letter dated January 20, 2026, signed by Peter Chidiebere Nworie, the plaintiff is asking the xourt to re-assign the case to another judge. 

The plaintiff said in the letter,  "We write as Legal Practitioners to The Incorporated Trustees of Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), hereinafter referred to as our Client, in respect of the above-mentioned suit. The suit is presently pending before the Federal High Court 2, presided over by Hon. Justice G.K. Olotu. 

"From the records, the suit is a simple application for Judicial Review by way of Mandamus, filed on 18th May, 2024, seeking the release of a certain FINAL INVESTIGATION REPORT of the 1st Respondent. 

"As it stands, the suit has remained pending for an inordinately long period through no. fault of the Applicant. Despite the Applicant’s consistent diligence, the matter has suffered unnecessary adjournments, largely attributable to the actions of the Respondents. 

"It is pertinent to note that Mrs. Asabe Waziri sought and was joined as 2nd Respondent to the suit, notwithstanding that the reliefs sought do not lie against her but are strictly directed at the statutory duty of the 1st Respondent. 

"As if that was not enough, the 1* Respondent only filed a Conditional Memorandum of Appearance on 3! October, 2025 and failed to further engage with the proceedings or file and serve substantive processes. 

"On 12 January, 2026 the matter came up with the Applicant represented whilst the Respondents never showed up. It happened that His Lordship did not sit on the said date because the court room was being renovated and the matter stands adjourned to 23rd March 2026 for Hearing. 

"In the circumstances and without any imputation against the integrity of the Presiding Judge, our Client respectfully urges Your Lordship to exercise the inherent administrative powers of your exalted office to order the transfer and or reassignment of this suit to another Honourable Judge of the Federal High Court. This will give room for expeditious hearing and determination of the suit in the overriding - interest of justice". 

Court Orders Firm, Others To Maintain Status Quo On Disputed Wuye Property

By Peter Dansu 

The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwarimpa, has ordered parties to maintain status quo in a dispute over a property located at Plot 859A, Cadastral Zone B03, Wuye District, FCT, Abuja. 

The property, measuring approximately 70,000m2 is subject of litigation in two suits (SUIT NO. FCT/HC/GWD//49/2026 and SUIT NO. FCT/HC/CV/216/2026) between a property firm, Goldenbird Investment Limited (Claimant) and Promiseland Building and Construction Limited (1st defendant) and Lawrence Emmanuel and the Federal Capital Territory Administration, who are 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively. 

In SUIT NO. FCT/HC/CV/216/2026, between Promiseland Building and Construction Limited & 2 Ors V. Goldenbird Investment Limited & Anor., the court, presided over by Hon. Justice Lesley N. B. Wike, , ordered parties to maintain status quo after Counsel to the Plaintiff, Dr. Lilian Ojimma, complained to the court that despite the pendency of the matter before the court, that Promiseland Building & Construction, aided by officers and men of the Nigeria Police and other agents and thugs, forcefully took possession of the land, and commenced construction of fence and other building activities on the land as well as marketing the property to subscribers. 

In the statement of claim filed by O. C. Ali, Esq., dated January 22, 2026, the Claimant stated that it was granted a lease of 50 years on the land in 2007 by the Federal Capital Territory Administration and for which it has complied with the terms and paid ground rent and all necessary fees imposed by government. In addition, the company paid compensation to the natives/indigenes on the land before it took possession in 2007 and has put the land to the permitted and approved use since then without any incident. 

The claimant stated that sometime in 2025, the Ministerial Vetting team of the Federal Capital Development authority (FCDA) commenced a process of Vetting/verification of documents issued to Parks Operators and the Claimant duly complied and submitted all its documents for vetting/verification. The claimant also stated that FCDA had claimed that the essence of the exercise was to sanitize Green Areas in conformity with the Abuja Master Plan and the Parks and Recreation Policy that requires development of not more than 18% of development of the total land area. That while the exercise was still ongoing, the FCT Minister, without due process, sub-divided the plot and granted to Promiseland and its sister companies, who forcefully took possession of part of the land and started development activities thereon, while suits filed by the parties are pending.

In the process of taking over possession of the land for private estate development, Promiseland destroyed properties developed on the land by the claimant with due approval from the Department of Development Control. While the suit by Promiseland lays claim to the land based on the recent allocation by the FCT Minister, the Claimant in its case, prayed the court for an Order directing the eviction of the 1st and 2nd defendants, their workmen, agents and privies or any occupant at their instance on property. 

The claimant also prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction preventing the defendants (including their agents, workmen and privies) or any occupant at their instance from further interfering with the Claimant’s legal, beneficial, equitable interest and peaceful possession of the land. The claimant also prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd Defendant from perfecting any title to plot 859A, Bo3, Cadestral Zone, Wuye measuring approximately 70.000m2 or any party thereof in favour of the 1st and 2nd Defendant. 

The Claimant said as an investment company in Nigeria, it invested into the Federal Capital Territory development in 2007, when the company applied for the Allocation of a recreational land/green area for management and development.

The Claimant further stated that upon approval of its application, the claimant executed a Deed of Sub-Lease of Recreational Facilities /Parks with the Abuja Metropolitan Management Agency, Federal Capital Territory Administration, dated the 10th day of July 2007.  The FCDA Administration completely jettisoned the vetting exercise it initiated and the unexpired lease on the land that was designed as Green Area under the Abuja Master Plan and granted the land to private companies for residential purpose. 

The company, through its Counsel, stated that: "The Claimant avers that the Deed of Sublease and letter of intent granted to the Claimant title over Plot 859A, Bo3 Cadastral Zone, Wuye District, and FCT Abuja, measuring approximately 70,000m’ for 50 years. "The Claimant avers that the company immediately took over possession of the land and paid full compensation to all the indigenes and natives resident in the land, to be permitted to fall trees and develop the land in compliance with Government directives and that their unexpired term of lease right over Plot 859A, Bo3 Cadastral Zone, Wuye District, and FCT Abuja, measuring approximately 70,000m’ stands at 31 years at the time of instituting this suit. 

"The Claimant avers that the entire Plot 859A, Bo3 Cadastral Zone, Wuye District, FCT Abuja measuring approximately 70,000m’ is currently preserved and developed by the claimant as a Green Area and operated under the name Golden Bird Park, the usage features an event center wherein a temporary Marquee has been erected on the land, and gazebos.” 

"The Claimant avers that the company successfully applied for building approval to develop the entire park inclusive, (Plot 859A) and same was approved on the 6th August 2015 and 25th August 2016 by the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Development Control department.” 

The Claimant avers that their interest and possession of Plot 859A, Bo3 Cadastral Zone, Wuye District, and FCT Abuja, measuring approximately 70,000m2 is valid and that the forceful entry of the 1st and 2nd Defendants and their workmen, agents and privies into Plot 859A, Bo3 Cadastral Zone, Wuye District, FCT Abuja measuring approximately 70,000m’ amounts to trespass to land. 

The Claimant prayed the court for the following reliefs; A declaration that by virtue of the Letter of Intent dated the 3rd July, 2007 and 10th September, 2014 and the Deed of Sublease executed between the Claimant and the 3rd Defendant on the 10th day of July 2007, the Claimant possess a 50 years lease right over Plot 859A, Bo3 Cadastral Zone, Wuye District, FCT Abuja, measuring approximately 70,000m2 with an unexpired term of 31 years still valid and subsisting and that “by the virtue of the title documents in their possession issued by the 3rd Defendant and physical occupation of Plot 859A, Bo3 Cadastral Zone, Wuye District, FCT Abuja measuring approximately 70,000m’ since the year 2007, the Claimant has valid title for the possession and development of Plot 859A, Bo3 Cadastral Zone, Wuye District, FCT Abuja”. 

APC Recognises Renewed Hope Grassroots Movement as Official Support Group for Tinubu’s 2027 Reelection

By Peter Dansu 

The Renewed Hope Grassroots Movement (RHGM) has been formally recognised as an official support group for the 2027 reelection bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to a letter issued by the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The letter of recognition, sighted by News Proofs, was signed by Alhaji Salihu Yahaya Alfa, Head of Support Groups and Mobilisation at the APC national headquarters in Abuja. It confirmed that RHGM is duly registered and acknowledged as one of the party’s recognised grassroots mobilisation platforms.

Speaking with News Proofs, the Lagos State Secretary of the group, Mr. Richard Odeyemi, reaffirmed the authenticity of the movement, dismissing circulating rumours questioning its legitimacy. He explained that RHGM, founded by its National Coordinator, Ambassador Chidozie Isaac, is among the first ten support groups officially registered with the APC at the national level.

Odeyemi urged members of the public to disregard claims suggesting that the group is not affiliated with the president’s 2027 campaign, insisting that the recognition by the party’s leadership is clear and verifiable.

He added that the Renewed Hope Grassroots Movement remains committed to mobilising support across communities in line with the Renewed Hope agenda, as it intensifies efforts ahead of the next general elections.