Firm, Retired General Clash Over Land Ownership Despite Ongoing Police Probe

A fresh land dispute in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has taken a dramatic turn after a firm, Manec Homes Limited, clashed with a retired Major General over the ownership of Plot No. 446 in Cadastral Zone C01, Karmo District, Abuja.

The firm accused the Army General of forcefully taking over the property with the aid of armed soldiers while a police investigation into the matter was still ongoing.

According to documents made available to journalists, Manec Homes Limited, through its solicitors, Royal Law House Attorneys, had earlier petitioned the commissioner of police, FCT Command, accusing Maj-Gen. Ali Wilson (rtd) of criminal trespass, armed intimidation, threat to life, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and other related offences.

In the petition dated 22nd June, 2026 and signed by the firm’s lead partner, Realwan Okpanachi, the lawyers alleged that Ali stormed the company’s property at Plot No. 446, Cadastral Zone C01, Karmo District, Abuja, on 20th June, with a firearm to take over the property.

Following the petition, the Nigeria Police Force commenced an investigation into the ownership dispute and invited both parties to submit their title documents.

According to the petitioners, the documents were subsequently forwarded to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) for verification, with both parties directed to return on 23 July 2026, to receive the outcome of the verification and the police investigation.

However, the company alleged that, before the scheduled date, the retired general returned to the property on 18 July, accompanied by armed soldiers, to take over the land forcibly. According to the company, military personnel are already stationed on the land.

When LEADERSHIP contacted the retired army officer on a WhatsApp call, he declined to comment after the reporter had introduced himself.

Several attempts to get his reaction via text and WhatsApp messages proved abortive, as he never responded.

However, the law firm’s Lead Partner, Barrister Okpanachi, told our reporter by phone that the land belonged to his client. Both the client and the retired general had submitted their documents to the police, and the police have written to the FCDA for confirmation before all these recent problems, allegedly involving the forcible takeover of the land, started.

In the petition, the company also alleged that the retired general and his boys stormed the land, chased away workers engaged in lawful activities on the site, ordered them to vacate the property immediately, and warned that he would return to stop any further work on the land.

The law firm further alleged that the workers fled the site for fear of their lives after efforts to persuade him to seek legal redress instead of resorting to self-help failed.

According to the petition, the retired general was also alleged to have declared that he would take possession of the land regardless of the outcome of the investigation.

The company further alleged that the retired officer made threats against anyone who attempted to resist him, including police officers.

The petitioners described the development as a serious assault on the rule of law, arguing that the alleged forcible takeover of the property, while investigations were pending, undermines due process and the authority of law enforcement agencies.

They called on the Nigeria Police Force to urgently intervene, restore law and order, protect lives and property, and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.

They also called on the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff and the Minister Of Defence to call the retired general to order as not doing so leaves the retired general’s action capable of undermining public confidence in the professionalism, impartiality and the constitutional role of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; noting that it may also create the unfortunate impression that military personnel, equipment and operational resources can be deployed in furtherance of private interests or to enforce civil claims outside the due process of law.