Tinubu urged to call FHA boss to order over disobedience to court

By Lukman Olabiyi

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to call the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Oyetunde Ojo, to order over alleged actions by the agency which stakeholders said could undermine ongoing judicial proceedings in a property dispute.

An estate developer, Samuel Oladele Ahmed, who spoke on behalf of affected stakeholders, made the call following fresh proceedings before the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja Judicial Division, in a long-running dispute between the FHA and some property owners.

The latest development is contained in the Certified True Copy, CTC, of proceedings in Suit No. ID/13129LMW/2023, instituted by H.R.M. Oba Isaac Owolabi and others against the Federal Housing Authority.

At the last sitting, the court was informed that although parties were making efforts towards an amicable settlement, the FHA had issued demolition notices to the claimants, prompting them to approach the court with an application for interlocutory injunction.

Counsel to the claimants, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chris Okeke, reportedly raised concerns before the court over activities allegedly being carried out by the Authority while the matter remained pending.

Counsel representing the FHA subsequently confirmed before the court that demolition notices had been posted on the affected properties.

Following the development, the FHA undertook before the court that it would not demolish the affected properties pending the hearing and determination of the claimants’ application.

The undertaking was recorded by the court, after which the matter was adjourned for the hearing of the pending applications.

Reacting to the development, Ahmed expressed concern over what he described as a recurring pattern of actions by the FHA capable of frustrating judicial proceedings and eroding public confidence in the rule of law.

He, therefore, appealed to President Tinubu to direct the FHA management to respect all subsisting court orders and undertakings, arguing that a Federal Government agency should be at the forefront of compliance with judicial processes.

Ahmed stressed that the stakeholders were not opposed to the FHA exercising its statutory responsibilities, including the protection of government property and enforcement against illegal developments.

He, however, insisted that such powers must be exercised strictly within the confines of the law, particularly where the subject matter of a dispute is already before a court.

According to him, allowing government agencies to take actions capable of affecting disputed properties while litigation is ongoing could weaken public confidence in the justice system and raise questions about respect for judicial authority.

Ahmed said a presidential directive requiring the FHA to comply with court processes would not amount to interference with the judiciary, but would rather reinforce accountability within the executive arm of government.

He urged the President to specifically call Ojo to order and ensure that the FHA allows the courts to determine pending disputes before taking any action capable of altering, damaging or otherwise affecting the subject matter of litigation.

“Respect for court orders must remain non-negotiable, particularly for a Federal Government agency,” Ahmed said.

He urged the FHA to lead by example by upholding the rule of law, respecting judicial proceedings and protecting citizens’ confidence in the justice system.