Court halts eviction of Benue politician Obe from Abuja home

The FCT High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered a stay of execution on a judgment delivered by the Dutse Magistrate Court on September 28, 2024, in a case involving Ewaoche Benjamin Obe and his wife, Christian Obe.

The Benue politician had been embarrassingly evicted from his matrimonial home, with his belongings thrown onto the street.

Mrs. Ewaoche Benjamin Obe had allegedly obtained a secret judgment against her husband, claiming ownership of the property and reportedly sold it to her twin brother’s company, Jesryte Global Resources Ltd.

However, Obe, who was the Benue State governorship candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general election, directed his legal team to approach the High Court to challenge the title of the property against the first defendant.

The Magistrate Court had earlier dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction to entertain land title matters.

The defendants in Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/1664/2025 include Mrs. Christina Owofuni Obe, Jesryte Global Resources Ltd, and Thomas Onuh, the twin brother who owns the company.

While moving the application on Wednesday, Jefferson Uwaifoh (Esq.), counsel to the Claimant/Applicant, urged the FCT High Court to grant the application to avoid irreparable damage that the Magistrate Court’s judgment would cause the applicant.

Following the application for an interim stay of execution by the Claimant’s legal team, the FCT High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice M.A. Madugu, granted the Motion Ex parte.

The Court ordered a stay of execution in line with the reliefs sought in Motion No: FCT/HC/BW/M/554/2025.

Order papers, which were pasted on the disputed property and at its entrance gate and sighted by our reporter during a visit on Thursday evening, restrained Mrs. Christiana Obe, Jesryte Global Resources Ltd, Mr. Thomas Onuh, and their agents from selling, occupying, or engaging in any activities in or around the property located at Sagwari Layout, Dutse, Abuja, which belongs to Chief Ewaoche Benjamin Obe.

“An order of this Honourable Court is granted to the Claimant/Applicant for substituted service of all the Court processes in this suit and any other documents on the 1st and 2nd Defendants by pasting same in a conspicuous place within the res being Plot No. BDT/20 and Plot BDT/22 Sagwari Layout, with the 4-bedroom duplex with a detached chalet which has come to be known as No. 8, Ayo Solomon Crescent, Sagwari Layout, Dutse Makaranta, Bwari Area Council, Abuja,” the Judge ruled.

It will be recalled that Obe had earlier approached the Dutse Magistrate Court as an interpleader, but the court declined jurisdiction over land title matters and referred him to the High Court.

The matter has been adjourned to the 16th of July, 2025, for hearing.