Court of Appeal upholds Kova’s ownership in property dispute
The Tanzanian Court of Appeal has ruled in favor of former police officer Suleimani Kova in a long-standing property dispute over a government house in Arusha. While the court upheld Kova's ownership, it dismissed a claim for monthly compensation against the opposing party, Godfrey Nzowa.
Why it matters
The ruling clarifies legal precedents regarding the privatization of government-owned residential properties for public servants.
Arusha. The Court of Appeal has upheld the ownership of a government house in Sekei, Arusha, by former senior police officer Suleimani Kova, ending a long-running dispute with retired police officer Godfrey Nzowa.
The court, however, ruled in favour of Mr Nzowa on one issue after setting aside an order requiring him to pay Mr Kova $200 monthly, saying the claim for compensation over occupation of the house was not supported by sufficient evidence.
The decision was delivered on July 22, 2026, by a three-judge panel comprising Justices Gerald Ndika, Omar Othman Makungu and Mustafa Ismail, following an appeal filed by Mr Nzowa against Mr Kova, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and the Attorney General.
The judges reviewed 10 grounds of appeal challenging a High Court decision that had ruled in favour of Mr Kova in the ownership dispute.
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