Efforts to resolve a N300 million alleged illegal eviction and property damage case out of court continued on Wednesday, as property developer Cecil Osakwe and Abuja-based lawyer Victor Giwa urged the court to allow settlement talks to be concluded.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the first defendant, Ahmed Raji, SAN, told the court that negotiations were at an advanced stage and asked that the arraignment be deferred pending the outcome of discussions.
Raji said parties had been engaging in talks aimed at resolving the dispute and addressing the grievances of the nominal complainant.
“We have been trying to resolve the matter in a way to assuage the pain of the nominal complainant and ensure that this matter is brought to closure. We are still discussing and have yet to agree on the final terms,” he said.
He added that significant progress had been made and assured the court of compliance with any agreement reached, noting that he would withdraw from the process if the defendants failed to act in good faith.
He further urged the court to allow the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process to continue, saying the matter largely centred on possession of the property and efforts to compensate the victim.
Opposing the request, prosecuting counsel Aderonke Imana acknowledged the settlement efforts but questioned the defendants’ sincerity, citing recent court filings.
She said three motions filed by Victor Giwa suggested he was still pursuing litigation while claiming to be open to settlement.
“The processes filed do not appear like actions from parties genuinely committed to out-of-court settlement,” she argued.
Giwa, who represented himself, aligned with the defence position and confirmed that several meetings had been held toward settlement. He also asked the court to lift the bench warrant issued against him, pledging to comply with any agreement reached.
However, Imana opposed the application, insisting the warrant should remain until the settlement process is concluded. She also urged the court to maintain the warrant against a police inspector, Edith Erhunmwunse, for failing to appear in court.
Delivering ruling, Justice Samira Bature recalled that an earlier application for a bench warrant against Giwa had been refused after it was established he was appearing before another court on the same date.
The court consequently vacated the bench warrant against him but cautioned him to maintain proper conduct as a legal practitioner.
The judge noted that the court had “bent backwards” largely due to the assurances of the senior advocate involved in the settlement talks.
However, the bench warrant against the police officer was sustained.
The matter was, thereafter, adjourned to June 25, 2026, for further hearing.
