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River Park Estate: Court Freezes Activities as Police Letter Sparks Interference Row By Ifeoma Ikem

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River Park Estate: Court Freezes Activities as Police Letter Sparks Interference Row By Ifeoma Ikem

River Park Estate: Court Freezes Activities as Police Letter Sparks Interference Row

By Ifeoma Ikem

The ownership tussle over the multi-billion-naira River Park Estate along Airport Road, Abuja, has taken a dramatic turn, following a High Court order suspending all activities on the disputed land and the emergence of a controversial police letter now under scrutiny.
On August 21, 2025, Justice C. O. Agashieze of the Abuja High Court, in Suit No. CV/2902/2025 filed by Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited against Paulo Homes Nigeria Limited, ordered both parties to “maintain the status quo” pending determination of the substantive matter. The judge barred either side from interfering with the estate’s contested sections, including Paulo Boulevard and Aazik Homes, and adjourned the case indefinitely.
The ruling effectively halts new construction, property sales, or alterations within the affected portions of River Park Estate until further notice.
More Than a Land Dispute
What looks like a routine property quarrel masks a web of overlapping claims, allegations of forged corporate filings, and conflicting court rulings. The River Park saga has evolved into a litmus test for Nigeria’s judiciary, land governance, and institutional credibility.
The estate, one of Abuja’s flagship residential projects, has long attracted civil servants, politicians, and diaspora investors as a “safe haven” for real estate investment.
The Fakorede Letter
Tensions escalated after Paulo Homes’ lawyers presented a letter written by Police Commissioner Akin Fakorede on August 7, 2025. The letter instructed that all government dealings on River Park Estate be routed exclusively through Paulo Homes and its chief executive, Mr. Paul Odili—effectively sidelining rival claimants.
Addressed to the FCT Director of Land Administration and copied to the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) and Development Control, the letter raised alarm among legal experts.
“It is highly unusual for a police officer to issue such a directive on a matter already before the courts,” one senior lawyer told Daily Trust.
In Defiance of AGF and IGP
Critics note that Fakorede’s letter contradicts earlier directives from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
In June 2025, the AGF ordered the police to withdraw criminal proceedings in Charge No. CR/402/25 and forward the case file for review. Similarly, on July 2, the IGP directed Fakorede to broaden investigations into alleged forged CAC documents tied to River Park’s ownership.
Instead, the commissioner reportedly doubled down—issuing letters to land agencies as though Paulo Homes’ ownership claim were already settled.
River Park Estate: Court Freezes Activities as Police Letter Sparks Interference Row
By Ifeoma Ikem
Suspicions of Collusion
Civil society groups and governance watchdogs say the selective circulation of Fakorede’s letter suggests an attempt to sway land records ahead of a ministerial committee’s findings.
“This raises fundamental questions about neutrality of state actors in land disputes,” said Dr. Sarah Mohammed, a land governance expert. “It feeds into a troubling narrative of collusion between security institutions and vested interests.”
Fallout for Abuja’s Real Estate Market
The implications for Abuja’s property market are severe. River Park, once promoted as a secure and well-planned estate, now faces paralysis.
“For international investors, this is exactly the kind of uncertainty they fear,” a property consultant warned. “Billions are tied up in projects that may now be trapped in litigation.”
For residents, however, it is more than an abstract legal battle. Many described it as a lived reality—anxiety over stalled projects and uncertain title deeds.
Rule of Law on Trial
Analysts say the dispute transcends land ownership.
“If a police commissioner can disregard orders from the AGF and IGP, then the bigger danger is institutional breakdown,” argued Dr. Hamza Ibrahim, a public policy scholar.
Civil society organisations are now demanding a forensic audit of AGIS and Development Control’s records on River Park, alongside an inquiry into police correspondence with Paulo Homes. Some have gone further, calling for Fakorede’s suspension.
Unanswered Questions
Why did Commissioner Fakorede act against explicit instructions from higher authorities?
Who within the FCT administration may be enabling these moves?
And why is Paulo Homes seeking recognition outside due legal process?
Until such questions are addressed, observers warn, investor confidence in Abuja’s property market will remain fragile.
The Road Ahead
For now, River Park Estate lies in uneasy silence—its half-finished structures and anxious residents caught in a legal freeze. The court has halted activity, but not the uncertainty.
As Abuja awaits the ministerial committee’s findings and the resumption of court proceedings, the River Park case has become far more than a land dispute. It is now a test of Nigeria’s rule of law—and of whether institutions can resist capture by private interests.

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You Against Crime Founder Tayo Folorunsho Praises Winners of Abuja Schools Festival.

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You Against Crime Founder Tayo Folorunsho Praises Winners of Abuja Schools Festival.

 

Abuja, Nigeria – The maiden edition of the You Against Crime – Schools Festival 2026 Grand Finale has concluded, marking a significant milestone in youth engagement and crime prevention efforts across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The event, held at the University of Abuja, brought together 78 secondary schools from the six Area Councils of Abuja, with the top six schools competing in the Grand Finale.

*Winners Emerge*

Tudunwada School, Bwari took the top spot, followed closely by The Golden Crest Royal in second place, and Government Secondary School, Kuje in third.

*CULTURE, THE CURE FOR CRIME*

The festival’s theme, “Culture, The Cure for Crime,” highlighted the importance of values, identity, mentorship, and positive engagement in preventing crime and shaping responsible citizenship among young people.

*DISTINGUISHED GUEST SPEAKERS*

Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Chairman, Amnesty International, praised the initiative, saying, “This festival is a beacon of hope for our young people, promoting values and principles that can shape a brighter future for Nigeria.”

Aisha Mohammed, Head of Enlightenment & Re-orientation, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, emphasized the importance of mentorship, stating, “Empowering young people with the right guidance and opportunities is key to preventing crime and building a stronger nation.”

*PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT*

The 2026 Grand Finale Edition was proudly sponsored by Civicx Technology Ltd Int’l, reinforcing a shared commitment to youth empowerment and crime prevention through cultural reorientation and innovation.

Tayo Folorunsho, Host & Founder, You Against Crime International, addressing the media and appealed to government agencies to support initiatives like this, targeting young minds early.

You Against Crime International is a movement advocating cultural change as a long-term solution to crime. The organization remains committed to advancing youth development, civic responsibility, and nation-building across Nigeria.

You Against Crime Founder Tayo Folorunsho Praises Winners of Abuja Schools Festival.

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TICP Customs Launches Paperless Regime, Warns Against False Declarations

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TICP Customs Launches Paperless Regime, Warns Against False Declarations

 

The Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has launched a roadmap for the full implementation of a paperless regime at the command.

 

Onyeka disclosed this during a press briefing in Lagos, stating that the command was fully prepared for seamless digital operations ahead of the nationwide rollout scheduled for the second quarter of the year.

 

He described the engagement as the first in a series of consultations aimed at sensitising stakeholders on the strategies, operational framework and expectations under the new regime.

 

The controller commended the media for its constructive reportage since his assumption of office and sought continued collaboration to ensure the success of the initiative.

 

Presenting the command’s performance report, Onyeka said the Tin Can Island Command generated ₦609 billion in revenue in 2025, describing it as the highest in the history of the command.

 

He added that revenue collection rose from ₦116 billion recorded in January of the previous year to ₦145 billion in the corresponding period last month, representing an increase of over ₦29.9 billion.

 

Onyeka stated that his vision was to make the command known for trade efficiency, explaining that under the paperless regime, containers would be released without physical contact between Customs officers and clearing agents, provided declarations were accurate.

 

He credited the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for providing the leadership and strategic direction driving modernisation efforts across Customs formations nationwide.

 

The controller urged stakeholders to avoid false declarations and engage directly with the command to resolve concerns, emphasising that transparency and dialogue were essential to achieving efficient port operations.

 

He assured that consignments with clear scanning results and proper documentation would be released promptly, while those flagged by the risk management system would undergo physical examination, adding that the command would continue to collaborate with other agencies to reduce cargo dwell time and enhance port efficiency.

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Love on Display: Katie Price and Lee Put On a Public Show of Affection 

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Love on Display: Katie Price and Lee Put On a Public Show of Affection 

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG 

British media personality Katie Price is once again at the center of tabloid and public attention after being photographed poolside with her new husband, Lee, in a display of affection that quickly circulated across entertainment platforms. The images, reportedly taken during a recent leisure outing at a private resort location in the United Kingdom, show the couple embracing and kissing beside a swimming pool, with Lee prominently displaying a tattoo tribute dedicated to Price.

 

The photographs, which surfaced in mid-February 2026 through British tabloid outlets, depict the couple appearing relaxed and affectionate. Lee, whose full name has been reported in sections of the UK press but who largely maintains a lower public profile compared to his wife, lifted his arm to reveal a visible tattoo said to be in honor of Price and a gesture widely interpreted as a public affirmation of their relationship.

 

What happened was straightforward but symbolically charged: a public display of affection between newlyweds, amplified by Price’s longstanding celebrity status. Where it happened (poolside at what sources describe as a private holiday setting) underscores the blending of personal life and public spectacle that has long defined Price’s media journey. During a recent February getaway placed it squarely within ongoing tabloid interest surrounding her latest marriage. Price, 47 and her new husband Lee, whose visible tribute tattoo became the focal point of the moment.

 

Celebrity culture scholars argue that public figures such as Price operate within a media ecosystem where visibility sustains relevance. “Modern celebrity is performative intimacy,” explains Professor Graeme Turner, a media and cultural studies scholar known for his work on celebrity culture. “Public displays of affection are not merely private acts; they are communicative gestures that reinforce brand identity and narrative continuity.” In Price’s case, her romantic relationships have long been interwoven with her public persona.

 

Price first rose to prominence in the late 1990s under the glamour model moniker “Jordan,” before transitioning into reality television, publishing and business ventures. Her personal life (including previous marriages and high-profile relationships) has frequently generated headlines in the British press. This latest marriage continues that pattern of intense scrutiny.

 

The tattoo tribute displayed by Lee is particularly significant in celebrity symbolism. Body art dedicated to a partner is often perceived as a declaration of permanence. Dr. Chris Rojek, emeritus professor of sociology and an authority on fame and public identity, has observed that “celebrity relationships are sustained as much through symbolic reinforcement as through private commitment. Visible tokens (rings, tattoos, coordinated appearances) function as public assurances.” In this case, the tattoo serves not merely as personal expression but as a visual narrative device in an already highly mediated relationship.

 

How the moment unfolded (casually but conspicuously) reflects the dynamics of contemporary celebrity coverage. Photographs were reportedly captured either by paparazzi stationed nearby or shared through controlled media access, a common practice in the British entertainment industry. Within hours, the images were republished by multiple outlets, accompanied by commentary on Price’s relationship history and ongoing legal and financial challenges, issues that have previously placed her under intense public scrutiny.

 

Despite recurring controversy throughout her career, Price remains a resilient media figure. Communications analyst Mark Borkowski has previously remarked in interviews that “Katie Price understands publicity better than most. Whether by design or instinct, she maintains a feedback loop with the press that keeps her culturally visible.” The poolside photographs appear to fit squarely within that established pattern of managed exposure and reactive media amplification.

 

Critically, there is no indication of misconduct, public disturbance or controversy tied directly to the poolside display itself. It was, by all verified accounts, a consensual and celebratory expression of affection between married adults. The wider attention it has generated speaks less to the act and more to the individuals involved; particularly Price’s enduring position within British popular culture.

 

For global audiences, the episode illustrates a broader truth about contemporary fame: private milestones often become public commodities. The marriage of Katie Price and Lee (and the symbolic tattoo that now marks it) has become another chapter in a life lived persistently under the camera’s gaze.

 

As celebrity culture continues to blur boundaries between intimacy and publicity, moments like this poolside embrace are no longer trivial snapshots. They are narrative events, reinforcing identity, commitment and brand continuity in equal measure.

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