A Federal High Court in Kano on Thursday urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and residents of the Aviation Staff Quarters to explore an amicable settlement in the lingering dispute over the ownership of the government residential estate.
SolaceBase reports that Justice Simon Amobeda gave the advice after proceedings in the suit filed by the Board of Trustees of the Aviation Quarters Residents Association and six others, saying mediation could provide a lasting resolution to the conflict.
The judge also directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the pending applications before the court.
The residents are challenging what they described as attempts by FAAN to evict them from houses they insist were lawfully acquired under the Federal Government’s monetisation programme.
Court documents show that the applicants are seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, FAAN, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Secretary of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Lease/Sale of Government Properties from intimidating, harassing or ejecting them from the quarters.
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They are also asking the court to order the release of salaries and pensions allegedly withheld from some affected staff and retirees pending the determination of the substantive suit.
At Thursday’s sitting, counsel to FAAN, Olukayode Makinde, informed the court that the authority had filed an application seeking an extension of time to regularise its processes, arguing that the plaintiffs’ motion was not yet ripe for hearing.
Counsel to the applicants, Amos Ibrahim Ango, did not oppose the request, following which Justice Amobeda granted the application.
Counsel representing the third and fourth defendants, Ishaku Inusa Mato, told the court that his clients had also filed their responses after being served with the relevant processes.
The applicants further alleged that Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel had continued to intimidate residents despite the pending litigation.
Speaking on behalf of the applicants, the Secretary of the Aviation Quarters Residents Association, Obadaki Muhammad Mustapha, urged the court to allow the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to spearhead mediation efforts, expressing confidence that the office would ensure fairness to all parties.
Justice Amobeda advised both sides to genuinely consider resolving the dispute through mediation, noting that an amicable settlement would serve the interest of justice.Aviation union accuses FAAN of victimizing Kano staff over quarters acquisition
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He, however, cautioned all parties against taking any action capable of altering the existing situation pending the hearing of the applications.
The matter was adjourned until October 27, 2026, for either a report on the outcome of the mediation efforts or the hearing of the pending applications.
The dispute stems from the Federal Government’s monetisation policy, under which occupants of eligible government houses were offered the right of first refusal.
According to documents before the court, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation approved the disposal of the Kano Aviation Staff Quarters in November 2023, while allocation letters were issued and payments completed in 2024.
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The applicants contend that although the Federal Executive Council later exempted FAAN properties nationwide from future disposal in November 2025, the decision did not invalidate transactions that had already been concluded.
They argue that FAAN subsequently relied on the exemption to issue eviction notices, disciplinary queries and withhold salaries, actions now being challenged before the court.
