Winning Clause Nig. Ltd. has accused the displaced Kuchibedna community in Kafe District of ignoring four court judgments after allegedly collecting compensation three times.
The firm’s lawyer, O. Marx Ikongbeh, told journalists on Thursday that the community was paid in 2011, 2015 and 2016 but still refused to vacate Plot 67, which the company received under the Abuja Mass Housing Programme.
Ikongbeh said the initial settlement had only about 20 houses but grew rapidly as natives sold portions of land to non-indigenes even while court cases were ongoing.
He said, “Despite all the payments and judgments, they refused to move. The courts repeatedly held that they were trespassing.”
A 2016 judgment of the FCT High Court reportedly declared the natives had no valid claim, while a 2021 judgment ordered the FCT Minister to hand over the land to the developer. The Court of Appeal affirmed the ruling in February 2025.
Ikongbeh added that the company also paid money demanded by the community for “traditional rites” under an agreement overseen by the Sa’peyi of Garki.
“Despite all these payments, the community refused to leave and instead expanded, selling land to non-natives who built without any FCTA approval,” he lamented.
He added that all compensation was based on proper valuation of structures, farms and crops by relevant agencies, noting further that the illegal settlement had also extended into the alignment of Ring Road 3 in the district.