The owners and tenants of CVS Plaza in Abuja have raised concerns over alleged continued oppression and property rights violations at the commercial hub.

On Tuesday, the affected individuals staged a peaceful protest, demanding justice after five years of purported legal neglect.

Comrade Oluoha Godwin Chukwudi, speaking on behalf of the group, expressed their concerns.

He said: “A disturbing case of systemic oppression, property rights violations, and disregard for court orders has escalated at CVS Plaza, a commercial hub housing over 50 shop units.

According to Chukwudi, the issue began when CVS Plaza sold shops to sitting tenants through authorized agents.

“These buyers, having lawfully paid for their properties, began to operate as full owners. However, in a shocking turn of events, CVS allegedly resold the entire plaza en bloc to a single buyer without disclosing the prior individual ownership agreements.”

The group claims that despite pending litigation, CVS Plaza and its affiliates have allegedly taken the law into their own hands, forcefully breaking into shop units, vandalising property, and installing equipment to assert false ownership.

“Even after a court summoned the violators and condemned their actions, they refused to comply, violating not just property rights, but judicial authority.”

The owners have called on the judiciary to expedite the hearing of the matter and enforce immediate protection orders for lawful shop owners.

They also urged the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organizations, and the media to amplify their voices.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. For over five years, victims of this oppression have shown restraint, followed legal procedures, and upheld peace. Yet their rights continue to be trampled upon with impunity.”

The group has also called on the police and FCT authorities to investigate and prosecute all persons involved in the repeated violation of private property and court injunctions.