The Federal High Court, Lagos, has fixed tomorrow, to hear a suit by 16 senior police officers against a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abubakar Aliyu, for forcible ejection.
The plaintiffs are: DCP Dasukid Galadanchi; DCP Emmanuel Odwong; DCP Mansur Mohammed; DCP Efunsola Sowemimo; DCP Eguae Udofia; DCP John Ekowhiro; ACP Dorathy Ikpen; and ACP Mary George.
Others include: ACP Iliyasu Kwabai; CSP Bose Akinyemi; CSP Dauda Koki-Lasisi; CSP Joy Agunlana; SP Edith Ozobi; SP Okon Obong; DSP Kikelomo Oshodi-Glover; and DSP John Idoko.
They joined as first defendant the Presidential Committee on Implementation of the White Paper on the Commission of Enquiry into the Alienation of Federal Government Landed Property.
Joined as second defendant is minister of Power, Works and Housing and the third defendant is DCP Abubakar Aliyu of the Works Department, Police Headquaters Annex, Lagos.
At the last adjourned date on June 3, Justice Rabiu Shagari directed parties to maintain the status quo, pending the hearing of the suit.
The court ordered hearing notices to be served on the defendants.
The plaintiffs are seeking an order, directing the third defendant, his agents or servants, to return documents collected from the plaintiffs.
The documents were said to have been collected at the Police Headquarters Annex Lagos, where they were allegedly forced to sign.
In the suit, the plaintiff, through their counsel, Mr. I. A. Idu, are praying the court for a declaration, that the plaintiffs are rightful owners of the property, known as 6A Ruxton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
They averred in their statement of claim that sometime in 2005, the Federal Government introduced a monetisation policy to enable public servants purchase their official residences.
They averred that the plaintiffs duly completed forms indicating their interest to purchase the property.
According to the plaintiffs, sometime in 2014, before they could be issued offer letters by the first defendant in line with the guidelines, they were coerced by the third defendant to the police force headquarters.
They averred that there, the third defendant misrepresented to them that the then inspector-general of Police (IGP), was interested in the property, and so, they were compelled to sign alienation documents.
They want an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants from interfering with their title or possession of the property.