Property Dispute Escalates: Senator Izunaso and 84-Year-Old Pastor Clash Over Abuja House
A complex property dispute has emerged in Abuja, involving Senator Osita Izunaso, 84-year-old pastor Esther Jesulanke, and multiple other parties over the ownership of a terrace duplex in the NASS Quarters area.
The controversy centers around a property located at Block D 16a, Flat Zone D, 20 Moses Adasu Close, NASS Quarters, Gudu, Apo, Abuja. Pastor Jesulanke claims she purchased the property for N50 million in 2009 from former lawmaker Mohammed Jega, only to be forcefully evicted in 2015.
According to Senator Izunaso, who chairs the Senate Committee on Capital Market, he initially paid N5 million to retired magistrate Grace Inyang for the property. However, the situation became complicated when Inyang allegedly sold the same property to Jega, who then sold it to Pastor Jesulanke.
The elderly pastor described a traumatic eviction, stating that individuals claiming to represent Izunaso harassed her and eventually took over the property while she was away. She lost all her belongings in the process, including furniture and air conditioners.
Izunaso maintains he has no direct dealings with Jesulanke, stating, “I don’t know her. I made a down payment for the property to Mrs Grace Inyang, who now resold it to Hon Jega.” He claims to have secured a court judgment in his favor and subsequently paid the remaining N30 million, though Inyang refused to accept the payment.
Former lawmaker Jega confirmed selling the property to Jesulanke, stating he was unaware of any prior claims when he purchased it from Inyang, who is now deceased. He noted that Jesulanke holds the Certificate of Occupancy.
Attempts at resolution included intervention from former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Abuja Commissioner of Police. A proposed settlement involving an additional N10 million payment failed when Jesulanke insisted on retaining the property.
The pastor has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for intervention, saying, “I have suffered for the past 10 years because of the way I was pushed out.”
The case highlights the complexities of property disputes in Nigeria’s capital and raises questions about the protection of property rights, especially for vulnerable individuals.
