Court Stops FCT Minister, Others From Selling Abuja Land

The Abuja High Court has issued an interim injunction restraining the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and other respondents from selling a disputed property at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja.

Justice Mohammed Zubairu granted the injunction following an ex-parte motion moved by Reuben Atabo (SAN), counsel to the applicant, Nextdora Nigeria Limited.

The motion, marked M/16807/2024, was heard on Monday, and its certified true copy was released to journalists on Tuesday.

Justice Zubairu, in his ruling, stated that the injunction was necessary to ensure justice and uphold the principle of fair hearing.

“The interim order of injunction is to last for a few days pending when all parties are served and appear before this court for the hearing of the motion on notice,” the judge said.

He ordered the defendants, including the Minister of FCT and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), to refrain from trespassing or interfering with the claimant’s possession of the property until the motion on notice is heard.

“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,” Justice Zubairu added.

The court also granted three other prayers sought by the applicant, including a directive to halt any development or reassignment of the property. The matter has been adjourned to December 30 for the hearing of the substantive suit.

The defendants in the suit include Eric Anyamene Nnamdi, Bilikisu Mallam, the FCT Minister, and the FCDA.

The applicant, Nextdora Nigeria Limited, claims ownership of the land, which is covered by a Right of Occupancy with File No. MISC 128232.

The company has requested the court to declare it as the legitimate titleholder and to bar the defendants from selling or developing the land.

The legal action, which includes a writ of summons filed on December 16, seeks a total of seven reliefs, including the preservation of the property’s title and its protection from third-party interference.

Justice Zubairu directed that the motion on notice be served on all defendants to enable their appearance in court for the hearing of the substantive matter. The interim injunction remains in place until the court delivers a further ruling.