“Debt Collection Gone Wrong” — Abuja Shop Owner Reclaims Property Seized Over Tenant’s Loan by Sharia Court

A shop owner in Abuja, Mr. Kenechukwu Ndubueze Martin, has regained possession of his business premises after a controversial enforcement action by the Sharia Court of Appeal in Gudu led to public outrage and a nationwide debate over judicial overreach in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Martin’s ordeal began in August 2025 when officials from the Sharia Court stormed his shop located in the Kwali area of Abuja, claiming it had been auctioned to settle a ₦550,000 debt owed by his tenant, identified as Mr. Right, who leased the shop in 2017. The tenant had reportedly absconded after being pursued over the debt, prompting court officers to seize the property without confirming true ownership.

“I built this shop in 2012,” Martin lamented in a viral video that drew widespread attention. “They said they had a case with my tenant, but when I told them I am the owner, they told me it did not concern them. They forced me to go to a Sharia Court even though I am a Christian. They took my documents and auctioned my shop because they believe I am a nobody.”

He insisted he had never been invited to any proceedings and had no relationship with the purported debt. “What does a Christian have to do with Sharia Court?” he asked tearfully. “They never investigated. They just wanted to intimidate me.”

The video, which triggered strong public criticism of the court’s actions, showed Martin pleading for help and alleging religious discrimination, saying his rights were trampled upon in a city constitutionally recognised as secular.

Following intense media attention and pressure from Nigerians, Martin confirmed that the Sharia Court returned his allocation papers and other ownership documents.

“Thank God, everything has been settled,” he said in an audio update. “They have given back my documents  the allocation and shop papers. It was the efforts of Nigerians and the video going viral that made them fear and return everything. I cannot thank Nigerians enough.”

He added that the final set of papers would be collected from the Upper Area Court: “Everything is okay now 100 percent.”

The incident has fueled debate within legal and civic circles, with many arguing that Sharia courts lack constitutional jurisdiction over civil property matters  particularly those involving non-Muslims in Abuja.

Lawyers say the development highlights a broader problem within Nigeria’s justice administration.

A senior lawyer reflecting this position stated:

“This is a clear case of jurisdictional overreach. Sharia courts have no authority over Christians or non-Muslims. Why would a Sharia court operate in the FCT when the Constitution defines Nigeria as a secular state? Sharia law must remain restricted to the states that have adopted it  applying it beyond that boundary violates constitutional provisions.”

Concerns have also been raised over improper enforcement, lack of due process, and failure to independently verify property rights before auctioning a business.