A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Bwari, Abuja, has ordered the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and AIBEN Properties Ltd to maintain the status quo on a disputed parcel of land located at 5th Avenue, 52 Road, Gwarinpa II Estate, Abuja.
The interim order was issued by Justice M. A. Madugu following an ex parte application filed by Tulwu Integrated Properties Ltd, which claims lawful ownership of the property.
Court Issues Interim Restraining Order
In a ruling delivered on January 6, the court restrained the defendants from further encroachment on the land pending the determination of a motion on notice.
Justice Madugu directed all parties involved to refrain from taking any action that could alter the condition of the disputed property until the substantive matter is heard.
According to the court, the order followed a careful review of the motion, supporting affidavit, exhibits, and written address filed by the claimant’s counsel, Abdul-Aziz E. Ibrahim (SAN).
The matter was subsequently adjourned to January 21 for hearing of the motion on notice.
Allegations of Encroachment and Demolition
Tulwu Integrated Properties Ltd told the court that the dispute began when AIBEN Properties, allegedly backed by FHA officials, encroached on the land and carved out about 6,000 square metres from the property.
The company said it had earlier obtained a restraining order from the FCT High Court on July 1, 2025, following the alleged demolition of parts of its perimeter fence.
Despite the subsisting court order, Tulwu alleged that armed police officers, accompanied by FHA officials, returned to the site on December 15, 2025, and carried out another demolition exercise.
The firm further alleged that its pregnant managing director was assaulted during the incident.
Further Claims Against Developer
According to the claimant, construction equipment was later moved onto the land at night, and excavation commenced, prompting the company to seek additional court protection.
Tulwu said the dispute centres on the actual size of the land allocation, with conflicting claims between the parties.
While the FHA reportedly insists that the original allocation was 16,000 square metres, the company said official survey records show the land measures over 22,000 square metres.
History of Land Allocation
Tulwu Integrated Properties Ltd explained that the land was initially allocated by the FHA to Savannah Suites and Restaurant Ltd and later assigned to it through a consent letter dated March 13, 2013.
It added that the original allocation letter stated the land size was subject to survey, which later confirmed a larger area.
The company said a change-of-use approval issued by the FHA in July 2023 officially recognised the land size as 22,017.233 square metres.
According to Tulwu, all FHA correspondence, billings, and receipts since 2013 reflected the revised land size.
Development Approval Dispute
The firm also disclosed that it applied for development approval in May 2025 and received clearance after submitting architectural and engineering designs.
However, it alleged that the FHA failed to issue the required bill necessary to commence development, despite granting preliminary approvals.
What Happens Next
The court’s latest order effectively freezes all activity on the disputed Gwarinpa property until the next hearing date.
Legal observers say the case could have wider implications for land administration and property rights enforcement in the Federal Capital Territory.
