A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered all parties involved in the ongoing ownership dispute over River Park Estate to maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the suit.
Justice S. U. Bature made the order on Tuesday upon an oral application by John Itodo, counsel to Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited, the claimant, regarding the processing of land documents such as the Right of Occupancy (RFO) and Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
The court also granted several applications and issued a warning against any interference with the disputed property pending final resolution of the suit, which has Dunamis Gospel Centre, unknown persons, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and the Federal Capital Development Authority as defendants.
The judge adjourned the matter until October 27 for further hearing. One of the key developments in court was the approval of an application to amend the name of the first defendant. The claimant’s counsel, John Idoko, clarified that the name initially filed, Dunamis International Christian Centre, was incorrect and needed to be changed to the legally recognised Registered Trustees of Dunamis International Church. “The amendment aligns with the rules of court and ensures that the right legal entity is held accountable,” Idoko explained to reporters.
He also noted that the court refused to hear submissions from an individual claiming to be a majority shareholder in Jonah Capital because he was not formally joined as a party in the case.
This specifically relates to the ongoing controversies surrounding the issuance and processing of land documents within River Park Estate, a high-profile real estate development located off Airport Road in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of Dunamis, Felix Tyokase said his clients were not opposing the amendment and dismissed claims that they were encroaching on the property.
“That order to maintain the status quo was already given as far back as January. We are not doing anything on their land, and the claimant has shown no proof of any interference,” Tyokase said.
He also clarified that the pending application concerning the internal dispute within Jonah Capital regarding its structure and shareholders would be addressed at the next hearing.
According to him, that matter does not directly involve Dunamis. The ownership of River Park Estate has attracted intense interest from developers, investors, and high-ranking individuals in recent years, increasing its commercial and legal stakes.
In the suit, Jonah Capital, which claims proprietary interest in major parts of the estate, has accused Dunamis of illegally taking control of sections of the land and using it as an extension of its parking space.
However, the religious organisation denied all allegations, stating that it is lawfully occupying the land allocated to it by the authorities.
