Estate Developer Petitions Consumer Protection Commission over Disputed Abuja Property
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
A real estate firm, Lumen-Deo Realities and Construction Limited has sent a petition to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over a disputed land in the Federal Capital Territory.
The firm alleged that Pennek Nigeria Limited was illegally developing Pennek Court Estate in Dutse Junction of Kubwa, Abuja.
In the petition, the firm claimed that the developer, Pennek was not only selling, but also offering for sale as well as marketing and advertising the property, when the plot of land upon which the estate was built was a subject of litigation.
The real estate firm urged the FCCPC to compel Penek to desist and refrain from unconscionable selling, offering for sale, marketing, and advertising of its Pennek Court Estate in Dutse Junction, Kubwa, Abuja to the general public.
It noted that the order should subsist pending the determination of the suit number marked CV/2361/2023 which was filed on 12/2/2023 and served on the respondent.
The solicitor to Lumen -Deo Realities Chidi Odo of Assurance Solicitors, in the petition, claimed that it was against the welfare of consumers for the respondent to engage in the selling, offering for sale, marketing, and advertising of its Pennek Court Estate through off and online media without Caveat and/or Caution notifying the general public that the land is subject of litigation.
The plaintiff maintained that such act by the respondent was an unwholesome practice and injurious to consumers.
It prayed the Commission to order or compel Pennek Nigeria Ltd. to publish in national newspapers or its social media platforms a warning or caution to the general public that the land is subject of litigation.
It argued that doing so would enable the public to make an informed decision before purchasing litigation or heart attack instead of a property as it is the statutory duty of the commission to protect and promote the welfare of consumers.
The firm cautioned and warned the general public and prospective purchasers that Pennek Court Estate in Dutse Junction, Kubwa, Abuja, was subject of litigation in FCT High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Mohammed, sitting at Court 54 in Gwagwalada.
The plaintiff advised anybody who bought land in the disputed area to go for refund of his or her money as the land in dispute is in exclusive possession of Lumen -Deo Realities and Constructions Ltd.
The plaintiff warned that it would not hesitate to demolish buildings on the disputed land for trespass with the order of the court.
The suit over the land was adjourned to 8/11/2023, following interlocutory injunction restraining the respondent from constructing, selling, marketing, advertising the houses in the land in dispute.
