The family of late military head of state, General Sani Abacha, has taken their fight to the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, seeking to overturn a lower court’s dismissal of their property suit against the Federal Government.
On July 22, 2024, Justice Peter Lifu dismissed the suit, citing that it was statute-barred and that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing. However, Abacha’s wife, Mariam, and son, Mohammed, are challenging this ruling, alleging that the government revoked their ownership of the property and sold it to a private company without their knowledge or compensation.
In their appeal, the family is seeking two major reliefs and has predicated their case on 11 grounds. They argue that Justice Lifu erred in his findings and conclusions, and that they have the legal power to institute the action as the widow and eldest surviving son of the late General Abacha.
The respondents in the appeal include the President, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and Salamed Ventures Limited. The Abacha family is urging the Appeal Court to take over the case and do justice to the matter.
