RAHAMANIYA UNITED (NIG) LTD V. MINISTER OF FCT & ORS

UWANI MUSA ABBA AJI, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The Appellant was allocated plots of land measuring about 8000m2 delineated as Plots 216, 217, 218, 219, 225, 226, 227, 228, Wuye District, Abuja, vide a letter of offer of Terms of Grant/Conveyance of approval dated 4/1/1995 as shown at page 8 of the record. The acceptance was made after 36 days by the Appellant and submitted same to the 1st-3rd Respondents. See pages 8 and 9 of the record. The design of the building was carried out by the Appellant's architect but the development of the land was stalled because infrastructures were yet to be in place and the Certificate of Occupancy was not yet issued. In the interim, the Appellant on 18/10/2000 noticed that some unknown persons herein referred to as the 4th Respondent, took possession of the land and dug foundation to commence development thereon. Inquiries made at the office of the 2nd and 3rd Respondents to ascertain the identity of the 4th Respondent failed. Besides,…