Court Threatens To Send Wike To Prison

The Abuja High Court has issued a stern warning to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Director of Federal Capital Development Authority, Mukhtar Galadima, threatening them with imprisonment for alleged contempt of court.

The court action, designated Suit No: FCT / HC/1718/2019, was initiated by claimant Mac-Jeam International Enterprises Ltd against defendants Toub Associates Ltd and Theophilus Ubani. The suit also names the Minister of FCT (Wike) and Federal Capital Development Authority (represented by Murhktar U. Galadima) as defendants. In a legal document titled ‘Notice of the consequences of disobedience to Court,’ the defendants were explicitly warned to adhere to the court order.

Likewise, in another legal notice, the defendants were put on alert that they must provide reasons why an order of attachment should not be issued, pursuant to Order IX, Rule 13 of the Sheriffs and Civil process Act, CAP. 551 LFN, 2024.

As the case resumes for hearing, the Defendants/Applicants are expected to petition the Court for “An ORDER for committal to prison of the 3rd and 4th Defendants/Contemnors represented by Nyesom Wike and Murkhtar Galadima for having disobeyed the Order of this Court made on the 18th day of October, 2023 enjoining and restraining them from tampering with the rest of this matter pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice”.

Recent demolition activities in Abuja have drawn attention to the matter. After the demolition of an estate valued at about N10 billion, another estate worth N3 billion was reportedly razed on the orders of the Minister in Maitama Hills, Mpape in Bwari Area Council of Abuja.

In response, the manager of the demolished estate, Eze Innocent Okpara, explained that the development of the estate began around 2019 and was at various stages of completion before the demolition exercise. Legal counsel Tony Ogbulafor urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to intervene and address the actions of the FCT Minister.