Lawyer petitions Air Chief over unlawful arrest by Air Force officers in land dispute. Seeks N300M compensation, probe, and sanctions against involved personnel
Unlawful Arrest by Air Force personnel has triggered a serious legal petition, with an Abuja-based lawyer, Jacob Solomon Agada, accusing officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) of invading his client’s property and illegally arresting and assaulting staff in a pending civil land dispute.
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In a petition dated July 25, Agada wrote to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, demanding a full investigation, disciplinary action, and ₦300 million compensation for the victims.
He also threatened legal action if the demands are not met within seven days.
The disputed land, located at Plots 1317 and 1328, Extension I11 B Layout, Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, is the subject of a pending civil case (FCTHC/CV/3844/2024) before Justice Othman Musa of the FCT High Court.
Agada alleges that on July 22, a team of armed Air Force personnel led by Flight Lieutenant Hussein Habib Denja, and accompanied by Flight Lieutenant A.A. Abdullahi, forcefully entered the property on the prompting of Alhaji Manir Lawal, the first defendant in the land suit, and abducted three unarmed workers of Stats Global Homes Ltd, the 2nd claimant in the ongoing case.
The workers were reportedly detained without legal justification at Mogadishu Barracks, Asokoro.
The situation escalated further when the same officers allegedly returned with more troops and abducted two additional staff members Omeje Usman Eneojo and one Sunday who were reportedly brutally assaulted and are now receiving treatment at Kubwa General Hospital for serious injuries.
The lawyer insists that the military’s involvement in a civil land dispute constitutes gross abuse of power, contempt of court, and a violation of the victims’ constitutional rights to dignity and protection from unlawful arrest.
“The Nigerian Air Force has no legal mandate to intervene in civil land matters,” Agada wrote. “This reckless conduct erodes public trust in the Armed Forces’ professionalism.”
Agada submitted photographic evidence and medical records to support his claims and called for:
A comprehensive investigation of all officers involved
Administrative sanctions against the offending personnel
A formal public apology from NAF
A ₦300 million compensation for the physical and emotional trauma caused
He also threatened to escalate the matter to the **National Human Rights Commission and Attorney General of the Federation if action is not taken promptly.
Attempts to get a response from NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, were unsuccessful as multiple calls and messages went unanswered.
The FCT Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf, had earlier assigned the land dispute case to Justice Othman Musa before the alleged military interference.
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As public scrutiny grows, this incident raises serious questions about military overreach, civil liberties, and the sanctity of Nigeria’s judicial process.
