River Park Estate: Court insists parties must maintain Status Quo as lawyers present controversial police letter

An Abuja High Court has again ordered parties in the lingering ownership dispute on River Park Estate to maintain the status quo and stop further development activities on the contested land until the substantive issues are resolved.

The ruling, delivered on August 21, 2025, by Justice C. O. Agashieze in Suit No. CV/2902/2025 between Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited and Paulo Homes Nigeria Limited, directed the parties to refrain from interfering with properties in contention, which include Paulo Boulevard and Aazik Homes. The matter was adjourned sine die.

The legal battle had taken a new turn after lawyers for Paulo Homes tendered a letter written by Commissioner of Police Akin Fakorede, dated August 7, 2025.

The letter, addressed to the FCT Director of Land Administration and copied to key agencies, instructed that all dealings on River Park Estate be routed exclusively through Paulo Homes.

The letter, which was also copied to the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS) and the Department of Development Control, effectively recognised Mr. Paul Odili, chief executive of Paulo Homes, as sole owner of the estate.

Legal commentators raised concerns, noting that the move appears to contradict earlier directives from both the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), who had ordered the police to suspend involvement in the dispute.

In June 2025, the Office of the AGF had directed the police to discontinue criminal proceedings filed under Charge No. CR/402/25 and to forward the case files for independent review.

Similarly, in July, the IGP reportedly instructed that further investigations be carried out into allegations of forged incorporation documents relating to River Park.

Observers say the filing of Fakorede’s letter in court, in spite of those directives, raises troubling questions about institutional coordination, the separation of powers, and the integrity of Nigeria’s land governance framework.

Beyond the courtroom drama, stakeholders are concerned about the broader implications for Abuja’s investment climate. River Park Estate, marketed as one of the city’s premium housing developments, has attracted significant patronage from senior civil servants, members of the political class, and diaspora Nigerians.

Real estate consultants say the uncertainty created by the dispute has already unsettled the market.

“When investors see this kind of institutional conflict, they hesitate. It suggests that even when you acquire land through legitimate means, your title is not secure if powerful interests are involved. ” said one property analyst.

Civil society groups have also voiced alarm, warning that the perception of collusion between state institutions and private developers could further undermine public trust. Several have called for a forensic audit of AGIS and Development Control records relating to River Park.

Industry stakeholders echo the concern, noting that Abuja’s property market, which contributes significantly to the FCT’s internally generated revenue, depends heavily on transparency and investor confidence.

Attention is now turning to the ministerial committee set up by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to review land disputes in River Park and other high-profile estates. The committee’s findings, observers say, will be critical in restoring confidence, both in land administration processes and in Abuja’s overall investment climate.

Analysts argue that the River Park dispute has evolved into more than a land ownership quarrel; it has become a governance test case for Nigeria.

“The issue is not simply about who owns what; It is about whether government institutions can operate within the law, and whether directives from the highest legal authorities in the country will be respected,” noted Dr. Chukwuemeka Nwosu, a governance expert.”

For many, the episode underscores the urgent need for reforms in Nigeria’s land administration system, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, where overlapping claims, conflicting titles, and bureaucratic manipulation have become recurring problems.