According to Vanguard, Alhaji Azeez Salako Olaniyi-Muideen, a businessman and President of the Offa Descendant Union (ODU), has initiated legal proceedings against Edusoko University, Bida, and its governing council, citing breach of contract related to a property sale.

The property in question, situated along Ndayako Road, BTC Eyagi Bypass in Bida, has been utilised as Edusoko University’s Bida City Campus and has appreciated in value from N550 million in 2020 to an estimated N1 billion.

The lawsuit, recorded under case number NSHC/BD/21/2024 in the High Court of Justice at the Bida Judicial Division in Niger State, calls for the university to pay the updated market value of the property.

In his filed claims, Alhaji Muideen stated that he had facilitated early access for the university in advance of a regulatory inspection, formalising the arrangement with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Power of Attorney.

However, he alleges that Edusoko University has repeatedly failed to honour its contractual commitments since taking possession of the property.

He said, “I, Alhaji Azeez Salako Olaniyi Muideen, businessman and President of the Offa Descendant Union, have filed a lawsuit against Edusoko University, Bida, and its governing council for breach of contract over the sale of prime property.

“I initially valued the property at N550 million in 2020, but it is now worth N1 billion.

“According to the suit, which I filed under case number NSHC/BD/21/2024 at the Bida Judicial Division of the High Court of Justice in Niger State, I am demanding that the university pay N1 billion, the current value of the property.

“I initially agreed to sell the property to UNI-Edosoko Limited for N620 million and later accepted a negotiated price of N550 million in 2020.

“The initial agreement for the sale of the property for N550 million is no longer valid due to inflation, which has significantly increased the property’s value since the agreement was reached.

“Despite occupying the property and using it for educational purposes, Edusoko University has reportedly failed to pay any portion of the initial agreed sum.

“The university and its governing council have continually failed to meet their obligations since occupying the property.

“The delay in payment for the property has significantly reduced the value of the initial agreement, and the money could no longer serve my business needs.

“The property’s value has now risen to N1 billion, as reflected in its Certificate of Occupancy (NG/BD/2017).

“Despite repeated demands, including a formal letter I sent in June 2022, the university’s management has failed to pay any portion of the agreed sum.”