The Asabe Waziri Story: A Triumph Over Tyranny
A Defining Moment of Injustice
March 18, 2022, marked a turning point in the life of Ms. Asabe Waziri, the founder of the Asabe Waziri Justice Advocacy Initiative (AWJAI). On that day, her peaceful life in Abuja was violently upended by a reprehensible act – an illegal eviction from her own home.
This scheme was orchestrated by a deceitful property developer, Cecil Osakwe of Abeh Signature Ltd, and his lawyer, Victor Giwa. Giwa, resorting to self-help, led armed thugs to invade her residence, a home she had purchased and lived in for more than a year, and confiscated all her belongings, under the false pretext of executing a court order.
Before the act of lawlessness, Osakwe had obtained a High Court judgment ordering that her payment be refunded and that she vacate her home. Ms. Waziri immediately filed an appeal against this unjust decision. However, despite her appeal being entered, Osakwe and Giwa defied the legal process and took the law into their own hands.
Just weeks earlier, on February 20, 2022, Victor Giwa, had personally supervised the disconnection of her water and electricity supply, again using armed thugs and one Mr. Friday, an electrician.
That day marked the beginning of Ms. Waziri’s long fight against tyranny, a journey that would test her courage, integrity, and unshakeable faith in justice.
The Scheme Behind the Injustice
Behind these criminal acts lay a calculated alliance built on greed and deceit. Cecil Osakwe, the developer, hid behind his corporate facade, funding and directing the illegal operations from the background. His partner, Victor, Giwa, used his position as a lawyer and his connections with unscrupulous police officers to cloak their actions in a false appearance of legitimacy.
While Cecil financed the physical operations, Giwa manipulated legal channels, turning the law into a weapon for personal gain. Their actions revealed a disturbing abuse of court processes and the police; two men who believed they could silence truth, and act above the law.
But what they did not anticipate was that Ms. Waziri would fight back, and expose their web of corruption for all to see, despite their coordinated cyber bullying, defamation, intimidation and smear campaigns online and in the media.
Standing Up Against Injustice
Refusing to surrender to despair, Ms. Waziri rallied her legal team, led by Henry Eni-Otu, Esq., and launched an appeal, determined to prove that truth and justice would prevail.
On April 4, 2022, the Court of Appeal, led by Justice H.S. Tsammani, with Justices U. A. Ogakwu and B.I Gafai, recognised the glaring injustice and ordered that “status quo ante bellum” be maintained, meaning Ms. Waziri should be immediately restored to her home.
However, the developer and his lawyer defied the order for more than two years, showing bold contempt for the rule of law. Ms. Waziri’s unyielding resolve in the face of such entrenched corruption inspired many.
Brazen Defiance of the Courts
Their disregard for the courts became undeniable on May 10, 2022, when officials of the FCT High Court attempted to enforce the Court of Appeal’s order. In the middle of the lawful enforcement, Osakwe and Giwa deployed armed thugs who beat and chased away court officials, a shocking assault on the judiciary itself.
Their message was clear: they believed money and intimidation could override the law. But they were wrong.
Justice Enforced at Last
On March 1, 2024, justice finally prevailed. The FCT High Court Enforcement Department executed the Court of Appeal’s order, restoring Ms. Waziri to her home.
Her return symbolised more than a legal victory, it was a reaffirmation of courage, perseverance, and the supremacy of justice over impunity.
Yet, even after her lawful restoration, Cecil Osakwe and Victor Giwa continued their campaign of lawlessness. On March 19, 2024, they again deployed armed thugs and severed essential services to Ms. Waziri’s apartment, despite ongoing prosecution filed by the Honourable Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in a nine-count charge including illegal trespass, theft, mischief, tampering with electricity supply and other offenses against the developer Cecil Osakwe, Victor Giwa and a police officer for their barbaric acts. They are scheduled to be arraigned on July 2, 2024, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama.
Their brazen misconduct persisted even after the Court of Appeal’s judgment on May 21, 2024, revealing their audacious belief that they could evade accountability and undermine the justice system.
Victor Giwa’s relentless pursuit of personal gain, at the expense of justice came to a decisive end when he and his thugs were forcibly removed from Ms. Waziri’s residence on June 27, 2024, by FCID officers. A comprehensive investigation is underway to uncover how such unlawful acts were perpetuated in the FCT and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Victory Through Perseverance
Despite repeated attempts to frustrate and prolong the proceedings at the Court of Appeal through frivolous motions and adjournments, Ms. Waziri remained steadfast.
In one desperate ploy, Osakwe and Giwa arranged for two individuals, Innocent Ike, a banker and Osakwe’s associate, and Adeyinka Badewa to pose as ‘new owners” of the property and apply to join the lawsuit at the Court of Appeal. Their application was swiftly dismissed, exposing the ploy for what it was, another shameless attempt to delay justice.
See the ruling dismissing the joiners of the 2 people hired by CECIL OSAKWE.
It was later discovered that Osakwe and Giwa had secretly sold the property to a Nigerian Senator, not the impostors presented in court, further revealing their greed, deception and utter lack of integrity.
Despite these distractions, the appeal, filed on March 11, 2022, concluded victoriously on May 21, 2024, with a unanimous judgment in Ms. Waziri’s favour.
A three-judge panel led by Justice Hamma Akawu Barka (Presiding), with Justices Abba Bello Mohammed, and Okon Efreti Abang, overturned the lower court’s decision in its entirety and awarded Ms. Waziri costs of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira).
The Court of Appeal declared that the judgment of the trial court was not supported by credible evidence and constituted a miscarriage of justice.
Justice Barka, in his judgment declared:
“It is clear that the respondent, having benefitted more from the transaction, seeks to vitiate the contract possibly to further benefit from it. I agree with the appellant’s counsel that the appeal is destined for success and should be allowed. Hence, having resolved all issues in favor of the appellant, this appeal succeeds and is hereby allowed. The judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in suit No: CV/2435/2021, delivered on February 17, 2022, is hereby set aside, and all actions taken consequent to the said judgment also stand vacated. The appellant is entitled to costs assessed at N500,000 (five hundred thousand Naira only). Appeal allowed.”
This judgment marked a defining moment in Ms. Waziri’s triumph over tyranny, proof that justice may be delayed, it cannot be denied.
Read the full judgement of the Court of Appeal in the case of Asabe Waziri V. Abeh Signature Ltd.
A Beacon of Hope
Ms. Waziri’s victory was not just personal, it became a symbol hope for countless Nigerians facing corruption, illegal evictions, abuse of power and injustice.
Her story proves that not every one can be bought, and that courage remains the greatest weapon against tyranny. It stands as a testament to the power of truth, perseverance, and faith in the justice system.
Ongoing Lawlessness and Accountability
Even after being lawfully restored to her home on March 1, 2024, Osakwe and Giwa continued acts of intimidation and lawlessness severing essential services to Ms. Waziri’s apartment and deploying armed thugs to her residence to harass her.
On June 27, 2024, FCID officers forcibly removed Victor Giwa and his thugs from her residence, a decisive end to their campaign of harassment.
They are scheduled to be arraigned on July 3, 2024, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama for the unlawful trespass on March 18, 2022 of Ms. Waziri’s property.
Their case sends a powerful message that no matter how connected or wealthy, no one is above the law.
A Call to Action: Join the Fight for Justice
Ms. Waziri’s story is not unique. . Her journey from victim to victor stands as an enduring reminder that resilience can outlast tyranny.
Her courage now fuels the mission of AWJAI to;
- Protect others facing similar injustices
- Amplify the voices of the oppressed
- Ensure that no one suffers in silence
Illegal evictions, land disputes, and abuses of power often aided by unscrupulous elements in law enforcement remain painful realities in Nigeria.
By sharing her story, we invite all who believe in justice to stand up, speak out and act. Together, we can ensure that justice is not a privilege, but a right, and those who think they can buy impunity learn that truth and law cannot be bought.
” Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”– Martin Luther King Jr.
Read about the inspiration for AWJAI
persistency paid off!
persistency, courage and patience paid off!
Thank you Asabe, for always standing for the truth and for the helpless.
Amazing. Kudos Ms. Asabe for the resilience and the fight against injustices meted against vulnerable people. This is a victory for the oppressed and let’s all speak out AWJAI is a platform that is willing to take on such injustices. 🙏🙏🙏
Ma’am Asabe Waziri continues to inspire and fight for the oppressed through her platform AWJAI. Her courage, resilience and patience triumphed over greed, intimidation and corruption. Her selflessness and generosity through AWJAI has liberated may prisoners and granted justice, peace and freedom to many. I am a proud beneficiary.