A brewing dispute between two major public institutions, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has spilled into the public domain over the ownership and documentation of two plots of land in Abuja.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the controversy began with a public notice issued by the Managing Director of NSITF, Barr. Oluwaseun Faleye, published in national newspapers on Thursday, July 10, declaring the loss of key land documents, including the Certificate of Occupancy, Power of Attorney, and Deed of Assignment, pertaining to plot numbers MISC 54707 and MISC 54824.
In the notice, NSITF warned the general public, land authorities such as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) and other relevant agencies not to recognise or transact with any party holding the original versions of the documents.
The Fund claimed that the documents were in favour of the NSITF management board.
However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) swiftly issued a response, accusing the NSITF of misinformation and misrepresentation.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, asserted in a statement sent to LEADERSHIP, that the congress holds both proprietary and possessory rights to the disputed plots, insisting that the NLC has been in long-term physical possession of the land.
“We find this publication as mischievous or utterly ridiculous or hopefully, an act of sheer ignorance because the aforesaid plots of land have always belonged to the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“It is trite knowledge that one cannot claim loss or issue loss notice over that which one has neither possessory nor proprietary right,” Ajaero stated,
The labour leader called on the NSITF to withdraw the notice immediately.
Though the NLC opted not to initiate legal action at this point, Ajaero hinted that the Congress was not pleased with the development.
“We are neither pressing charges nor asking for damages for the embarrassment this public notice has caused us for now,” he said.
The Labour Centre also urged the NSITF to consult both the NLC and Trustfund Pensions for clarity on the rightful ownership of the plots in question.
However, when contacted, the NSITF maintained its stand as contained in the publication, expressing confidence in the legal process.
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