A High Court in Abuja on Monday, imposed a fine of N10.5 million on Valington Homes and Property Development Services, an Abuja-based estate developer, for unlawfully trespassing on a plot of land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The verdict was delivered by Justice Edward Ekpo in response to a suit filed by Adebayo Opabiyi, the rightful owner of the land.
The court found that Valington Homes had forcefully encroached upon Plot 285 at the Jikwoyi Extension District of Abuja, which had been lawfully allocated to Opabiyi by FCT authorities years earlier.
Justice Ekpo ruled that the plaintiff successfully established his ownership of the land with valid documents from the FCT.
The estate development company was deemed to have acted wrongfully by moving earth equipment, particularly excavators, onto the land. This action resulted in the destruction of developments that had been carried out by the owner to establish his presence on the property.
Background
Adebayo Opabiyi had been lawfully allocated Plot 285 at the Jikwoyi Extension District by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) authorities.
This allocation was made years ago, with Opabiyi receiving valid documents to prove his ownership. Despite this legal allocation, Valington Homes and Property Development Services, allegedly encroached upon the land.
The company moved earth-moving equipment, particularly excavators, onto the property. This action resulted in the destruction of developments that Opabiyi had carried out to establish his presence on the land.
The forceful encroachment and subsequent destruction of property prompted Opabiyi to file a lawsuit against Valington Homes and Property Development Services, seeking justice and compensation for the damages incurred.
Court’s Decision
Justice Ekpo recognized Opabiyi’s valid ownership of Plot 285 at the Jikwoyi Extension District, based on the documentation provided by FCT authorities.
He found Valington Homes and Property Development Services guilty of unlawful trespass onto the plaintiff’s land.
consequently, The court ordered the company to pay a substantial fine of N10.5 million. This amount comprised N10 million as compensation for the willful destruction of properties on the land and an additional N500,000 to cover the plaintiff’s legal costs in prosecuting the case.
The judge emphasized that the estate development company had acted wrongfully by moving equipment onto the land and destroying the owner’s developments.