The family of late General Sani Abacha has appealed a court ruling that dismissed their suit challenging the revocation of a property in Abuja. Hajia Maryam Abacha, the widow, and her son, Mohammed Sani Abacha, are seeking to recover the property, which was revoked by the Federal Government and sold to a private company without their knowledge or compensation.
The appellants are challenging the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which dismissed their suit on May 19. They argue that the judge erred in law and miscarried justice in his findings and conclusions.
The Abacha family is praying the Court of Appeal to set aside the lower court’s judgment and invoke Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act to take over the case as a court of first instance. They are also seeking two major reliefs: a declaration that the revocation of their title to the property is null and void, and an order setting aside the sale of the property to Salamed Ventures Limited.
The appellants claim that Justice Lifu erred in law when he held that their claim was statute-barred and that they had no locus standi to file the suit. They argue that they have the capacity to institute the action as the eldest surviving son and widow of the late General Abacha.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal as yet.
