An Abuja High Court on Tuesday issued a pivotal legal order concerning a disputed piece of land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria.
The court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Zubairu, granted an interim injunction that restrains the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, along with other parties, from selling or otherwise interfering with the property located at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja.
The legal proceedings were initiated by Nextdora Nigeria Limited, which filed a motion ex-parte on December 16, 2024. The motion, marked as M/16807/2024, was moved by Reuben Atabo, SAN, counsel for the applicant.
The certified true copy of this motion was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the following Tuesday. The court's decision to grant the interim injunction was based on the principles of justice and fair hearing, as articulated by Justice Zubairu, who is serving as a vacation judge.
The injunction is intended to last for a few days, providing a temporary halt to any actions regarding the property until all involved parties are served and appear before the court for a hearing on the motion on notice. This hearing is scheduled for December 30, 2024.
The court's order specifically prohibits the defendants, including Mr. Eric Anyamene Nnamdi, Hajiya Bilikisu Mallam, the FCT Minister, and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), from developing, assigning, or selling the property in question. The property is covered by a Right of Occupancy with File No. MISC 128232.
Nextdora Nigeria Limited, the claimant, sought several reliefs through its writ of summons, including a declaration that it holds the title to the property. The company argued that the defendants should be barred from selling or otherwise disposing of the land, pending the resolution of the substantive suit. The court granted four interim orders as requested by the applicant, reinforcing the company's claim to exclusive possession of the property.
Justice Zubairu emphasized the importance of maintaining the status quo until the court can fully hear and determine the motion on notice. He stated, "Consequently, an order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the defendants/respondents whether by themselves or agents, privies, servants, workmen, and any person howsoever called acting on their behalf from trespassing into and interfering with the claimant’s exclusive possession of the property."
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