Appeal court dismisses case against owners of Abuja estate

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal challenging Associated Properties’ ownership of Santos Estate in Abuja. 

In the lead judgement on Friday read by Justice William Dauda, the three-member panel of justices upheld the response of Associated Properties and dismissed the appeal. 

The appellate court also upheld the judgement of the FCT High Court of May 5, 2014, declaring Associated Properties as validly entitled to Plot 16, now 45, Dakwo District, Cadastral Zone CO8, Lokogoma, Abuja. 

Justice Danladi Senchi of the FCT High Court had ruled that Santos Estate trespassed on the land and awarded the sum of N50 million as general damages to the plaintiff (Associated Properties) against the defendant (Santos Estate Limited).

One of the arguments of Santos Estate was that the plot was revoked after the six months granted Associated Properties to develop the plot had lapsed.

On its part, Associated Properties replied that Santos was not incorporated as a company when the land was allocated to it.