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Tag: Court

  • Court rejects bid to suspend Nasarawa APC chairman, orders parties to maintain status quo

    Court rejects bid to suspend Nasarawa APC chairman, orders parties to maintain status quo

    The Federal High Court in Lafia has rejected a request by ward executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gayam Ward, Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, to suspend the embattled State Chairman of the party, Dr. Aliyu Bello, and restrain him from parading himself as the APC Chairman in the state.

    Dr. Bello was earlier suspended by his ward chairman, Ibrahim Ilyasu, and some executives over alleged anti-party activities.

    Presiding Judge, Justice Mubolaji Olajuwon, declined to grant the ex parte application filed by the ward executives, stating that the matter would be decided on its merit, not through interim orders. 

    The judge directed all parties to maintain the status quo and warned against any actions that could prejudice the hearing of the substantive suit.

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    Counsel to Dr. Bello, Barr. Thomas Ogwu, argued that the reliefs sought were speculative since the main suit had not been heard. 

    Meanwhile, counsel to the plaintiffs, Barr. Isa Hassan Nalaraba, had sought an order to bar Dr. Bello from acting as APC chairman and from suspending the ward chairman and his exco.

    Justice Olajuwon ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the ex parte restraining order and adjourned the case to September 25, 2025, for hearing.

  • Court to hear suit against Cainergy Nov. 12

    Court to hear suit against Cainergy Nov. 12

    The National Industrial Court in Abuja has fixed November 12 for a definite hearing in an unlawful termination suit brought against Cainergy International Limited by an ex-employee, Engineer Emeka Iloegbunam.

    Cainergy, a limited liability company, engages in project management, engineering services and professional training facilitation through its arm, the Cainergy Training Services (CTS).

    The suit marked: NICN /ABJ/45/2025 now before Justice S. O. Adeniyi, involves serious allegations of unlawful termination and unpaid entitlements, including facilitation fees, amounting to millions of naira and tens of thousands of dollars.

    On July 14, Justice Adeniyi granted the claimant’s motion praying the court to set down the case for hearing on the merit following the defendant’s failure to file documents in response to the suit.

    Claimant’s lawyer, Victor Opatola, while moving the motion, said despite being served with relevant court documents and hearing notices on separate occasions, the defendant has neither appeared in court nor filed any response to the originating processes since the case was filed in February.

    In a ruling on July 14, Justice Adeniyi ordered that the case be set down for hearing and adjourned till November 2025 for trial.

    Iloegbunam said he joined Cainergy International Ltd in 2017, but that his employment was never formalised in writing, despite repeated requests.

    Iloegbunam said he was involved in the company’s engineering operations and played a central role in building and coordinating its training curriculum, facilitating workshops and seminars across several cities in and outside the country.

    He claimed to have facilitated several trainings while in the company between 2017 and 2020 and submitted his computation of outstanding fees.

    Read Also: Court freezes N24.9b in firms’ accounts, bars assets disposal

    The claimant said he would rely on a series of email correspondences, dated from February to May 2020, with key staff of the company, in which the

    Cainergy allegedly acknowledged some of the obligations, but continued to delay payment.

    He identified some of the key management staff with whom he had corresponded, including Ms. Aysha Abba and Mr. Goodness Aula, both described in court filings as top-ranking management staff of Cainergy.

    According to Iloegbunam, Abba and Aula’s names, roles, and correspondences form a crucial part of his case, especially in establishing the internal acknowledgement of the debts owed and the profit-sharing agreement reached at the beginning of his employment.

    He stated that there is an agreement between him and the company that provided for a profit-sharing arrangement, adding that although numerous workshops were held between 2017 and 2020 under this arrangement, the defendant failed to honour the agreed profit-sharing terms.

    The claimant alleged that due to poor internal record-keeping by the defendant, which made it difficult to track profit margins, the parties later agreed to a fixed facilitation fee instead.

    He accused the defendant of breaching the revised agreement and unilaterally reducing his fees for local trainings, while capping international training payments, which, given the scope of work he delivered, was unreasonable.

    Iloegbunam, who claimed that his employment was terminated in January 2022 in breach of Section 11(c) of the Nigerian Labour Act, stated that the termination letter was issued by Cainergy International Ltd without the payment of his outstanding entitlements, including facilitation fees.

    He is seeking, among other reliefs, a declaration that the termination of his employment is illegal and wrongful, and the payment of compensation in lieu of notice for wrongful termination.

    Iloegbunam also wants the court to order the defendant to pay his outstanding facilitation fees for trainings conducted between 2017 and 2020; issue a written letter of apology to him for wrongful termination, and award general damages against the defendant.

  • Court freezes N24.9b in firms’ accounts, bars assets disposal

    Court freezes N24.9b in firms’ accounts, bars assets disposal

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has granted an interim order freezing bank accounts belonging to TAK Logistics Limited, TAK Agro Plc, and their director, Thomas Akoh Etuh.

    The court barred them from accessing funds, shares, dividends or other financial instruments up to N24,934,741,718.91 “standing to their credit in any account maintained with any bank or financial institution”.

    The order was based on an ex parte application filed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo, on behalf of Keystone Bank Limited.

    Justice A. I. Akobi restrained the defendants from withdrawing, transferring, or dissipating any funds, shares, dividends, or financial instruments in their possession.

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    The court also directed all banks and financial institutions holding the defendants’ accounts to preserve the funds and file affidavits within seven days disclosing the account balances and statements.

    The defendants were also barred from disposing of any movable or immovable property up to the value of N24.9 billion, pending further court proceedings.

    Justice Akobi granted an order for substituted service on the third defendant, Thomas Etuh, permitting conveyance of court documents via courier or by posting at his known address.

    The court ordered: “That upon the service of this order on any bank or financial institution, such bank or financial institution shall give immediate effect to the Order by preserving any and all funds, or other financial instruments up to the sum of N24,934,741,718.91 standing for the credit of the first defendant, second defendant, and third defendant…”

    A copy of the order, dated July 16, 2025, was obtained on Monday.

    Justice Akobi adjourned till July 22.

  • Court restrains EFCC from arresting businessman over alleged $1.9m fraud

    Court restrains EFCC from arresting businessman over alleged $1.9m fraud

    A Federal High Court in Kaduna has granted an interim order restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting or harassing Rabiu Tijjani, a Nigerian businessman based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) over an alleged $1.9 million fraud.

    The order was given by H. Buhari, the presiding judge, while ruling on an ex parte application filed by Tijjani against the EFCC and another businessman, Ifeanyi Ezeokoli.

    The EFCC had on July 11 declared Tijjani wanted over allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and laundering over $1.9 million.

    Tijjani denied all the allegations, describing the EFCC’s action as harmful to his reputation and a threat to his ongoing refinery project in Abuja.

    In an affidavit submitted by his lawyer, Muhammad Zakariyya Dikko, Tijjani said he entered into a business deal with Ezeokoli in January 2022, involving the exchange of $76 million in Dubai for its naira equivalent in Nigeria.

    Following reconciliation, Tijjani returned N26 million to Ezeokoli as an overpayment. However, he later discovered he had overpaid by more than $2 million due to accounting errors.

    Tijjani reported the issue to the Department of State Services (DSS) after failed attempts to resolve the matter with Ezeokoli.

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    Both parties agreed to an independent audit, which reportedly uncovered fake addresses tied to companies involved in the transaction. The audit lasted six months due to the volume of documents reviewed.

    According to the affidavit, Ezeokoli later became uncooperative and petitioned the EFCC’s Kaduna zonal office.

    But Tijjani claimed this was done to shift attention from the DSS investigation and cover up the irregularities.

    Tijjani’s lawyer stated that although documents were submitted to the EFCC through a representative, his client was never formally invited or contacted before the agency issued a public notice declaring him wanted.

    He argued that the action violated Tijjani’s rights and caused reputational damage, leading to questions from his associates and a loss of investor confidence in his refinery project.

    After reviewing the application, the court granted an interim order preventing the EFCC from inviting, arresting, detaining, harassing, or prosecuting Tijjani until the main case is heard.

    The matter has been adjourned to September 18.

  • Court admits two CBEX promoters to N10m bail each, as EFCC arraigns another

    Court admits two CBEX promoters to N10m bail each, as EFCC arraigns another

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a bail to two of the detained Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX)’s promoters in the sum of N10 million each with two sureties each in like sum.

    Those admitted to bail by Justice Mohammed Umar are Awerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim.

    Justice Umar, in a ruling, ordered that the sureties must have property worth the bail sum within the jurisdiction of the court.

    He directed that the residence of the sureties must be verified by the registrar of the court.

    The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until Oct. 13 for commencement of trial.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Umar had, on July 7, adjourned for ruling on their bail application, after it was argued by the defendants’ lawyer, Justice Otorudo, and opposed by EFCC’s counsel, Fadila Yusuf.

    The development followed their arraignment by the anti-graft agency on three-count charge over allegations bordering on illegal financial operations and unlicensed investment activities.

    They were arraigned on amended three-count charge marked:

    In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/216/2025, the defendants were alleged to have collected public funds and promised up to 88 per cent returns on investment without regulatory approval.

    In a related development, Justice Umar has also fixed July 25 for ruling on the bail application filed by Adefowora Abiodun, Managing Director of ST Technologies International Limited, allegedly using another company, CBEX, to perpetrate investment scam.

    Justice Umar fixed the date after his bail application was argued, following Abiodun and his company’s arraignment on amended eight-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/215/2025.

    While Abiodun is the 1st defendant, ST Technologies International Limited is named as 2nd defendant in the amended charge dated July 9.

    ‎The allegations, in the earlier charge, bordered on alleged case of obtaining by false pretense, money laundering and carrying on the activities of other financial institutions without having the required license from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Security and Exchange Commission (SEC).

    They, however, pleaded not guilty to the amended counts.

    The defendants’ lawyer, Babatunde Busari, informed the court of a bail application dated and filed on Abiodun ‘s behalf on June 30.

    Busari urged the judge to admit his client to bail on liberal terms.

    He said the charge showed that the alleged offences against his client were bailable.

    Besides, he said two critical exhibits attached to their application showed that Abiodun voluntarily submitted himself to the commission for investigation.

    “He (Abiodun) came to us as counsel and we took him to the commission.

    “He also has a medical report that shows that the 1st defendant requires urgent eye surgery and that has not been possible for him for the past 80 days that he has been in detention.

    “We, therefore, urge the court to admit the defendant on bail as the total of the monetary claim Is about N20 million naira,” he said.

    Busari prayed the court to release Abiodun to him for the purpose of bail.

    But EFCC’s lawyer, Fatsuma Mohammed, vehemently opposed the bail plea, saying a counter affidavit dated July 7 was filed in respect of the motion.

    The lawyer urged the court to refuse bail and order for expeditious trial of the case, adding that investigation had been concluded “and we are ready for trial.”

    “Is it a bailable offence?” the judge asked.

    Responding, Mohammed said: “The section consequent to which the defendant is being charged, upon conviction, is seven years and it is enough number of years which is enough for him to try to run.”

    Justice Umar,who adjourned the matter until July 25 for ruling, ordered Abiodun to be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending ruling on bail application.

    NAN reports that CBEX was one of several digital platforms that collapsed after allegedly collecting billions of naira from unsuspecting investors.

    NAN reports that Justice Emeka Nwite of a sister court had, on April 24, gave the EFCC the go-ahead to arrest and detain six operators of CBEX over their involvement in the fraud.

    The judge, who gave the order after the EFCC’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, moved an ex-parte motion to the effect, said the detention would be pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution.

    The six suspects include Adefowora Abiodun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, and Seyi Oloyede.
    Others are Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

    In the motion ex-parte dated and filed April 23 by Yusuf, the anti-graft agency gave four grounds for its application.

    She said the EFCC had a statutory duty of prevention and detection of financial crimes through investigation.

    Yusuf said that “the defendants are at large and a warrant of arrest is required to arrest the defendants for proper investigation and prosecution of this case.”

    NAN reports that Adefowora Abiodun (1st defendant), Avwerosuo Otorudo (5th defendant) and Chukwuebuka Ehirim (6th defendant) had been in the EFCC custody on investigation.

    Justice Nwite had, also on June 30, declined to grant the bail application filed by the three detained alleged promoters of CBEX.

    The judge, in a ruling, held it was obvious that from the totality of the affidavit evidence of both parties, it was glaring that the character of evidence against the defendants was strong.

    He also held that due to the nature of the case, the EFCC obtained an order of remand of the defendants by court of competent jurisdiction.

    The EFCC, in the affidavit in support of the motion ex-parte filed before Justice Nwite, said sometimes in April 2025, it received an intel bothering on an alleged investment scheme fraud against the defendants.

    It alleged that the defendants and their company, ST Technologies International Limited, using another company, Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX), perpetrated the alleged fraud and the case was received and assigned to its Cybercrimes Section for investigation.

    Read Also: CBEX $1bn fraud: Court fixes ruling for June 30 in operators’ bail request

    The EFCC averred that the defendants promised unrealistic return on investment of up to 100%.

    “That the victims were made to convert their digital assets into a stable coin of USDT for onward deposit into the suspects crypto wallet.

    “That the victims were initially given full access to the platform to monitor their investment.

    “That following deposits valued at over one Billion Dollars by the victims, the CBEX investment platform became inaccessible to them and they could no longer withdraw from the investment made.

    “That the victims later discovered that the said scheme is a scam.

    “That during the course of investigation, it was discovered that the said ST Technologies International Limited, though registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it was not registered with the security and Exchange Commission (SEC) for investment purposes.

    “That it was also discovered during investigation that the defendants had moved out of their last known address in Lagos and Ogun States.”

    The anti-graft agency said that a warrant of arrest was required to place the defendants on red watch list so that they could be traced and arrested to answer to the case against them.

    According to the commission, investigation into the allegation against the defendants revealed a prima facie case of investment scam.

    It said it would be in the interest of justice to grant the application.

    (NAN)

  • Okeigbo Obaship tussle: Appeal Court admits fresh evidence

    Okeigbo Obaship tussle: Appeal Court admits fresh evidence

    The Akure Division of the Court of Appeal has admitted fresh evidence in the crisis rocking the chieftaincy stool of Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo in Ile-Oluji/ Oke-Igbo Local Government of Ondo State.

    The stool has been rocked by crisis after Justice Ademola Enikuomehin of the Ondo Division of the State High Court on April 13, 2023, nullified Oba Babajide Oluwole’s appointment as the right traditional ruler for the title.

    The court decision follows a suit filed by two princes from Aare Kugbaigbe Ruling House, Prince Rufus Adekanye and Prince Temitope Adeoye, head and secretary of the house.

    The ruling house had sought declaration that Oluwole is not a member of Kugbaigbe Ruling House, noting that it is its turn to produce candidate to fill the vacant stool.

    But at the weekend, the lead counsel for the appellants, Olalekan Ojo SAN, sought leave to amend his notice of appeal, adducing new evidence of the registered declaration of the chieftaincy.

    He also applied for injunction to restrain the respondents from taking steps to appoint a new Olu-oke and that all actions taken in that direction be vacated by the court.

    Adeola Yusuf, counsel representing the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo SAN, who appeared in the matter for the first time, informed the court that she was yet to be properly briefed on the processes of the case.

    The led counsel for Are Kugbaigbe Ruling House, Chief Sola Ebiseni, argued that the application to adduce evidence of the registered declaration made by the appellants in 2020 when the case ended at the High Court since 2018 was legally inadmissible and a waste of time hearing the appeal.

    Ebiseni also reminded the Appeal Court that the High Court had set aside the appointment of Chief Oluwole as Olu-Oke of Oke-Igbo by describing his ascension as ‘illegal’

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    He said the court had ordered the government to invite the Are Kugbaigbe Ruling House to present a candidate for the vacant throne, saying the deposed Oba filed his notice of appeal, after which he died on April 30, 2025, at the age of 94. 

    The counsel, however, described the application for injunction as an act of indolence, pleading with the court to also disregard the appellants who refused to prosecute their appeal but ask the court to act in vain.

    However, the Appeal Court presided over by Justices Omoleye, Shagari, and Obiorah observed that the appeal was of much of public interest, admitting that the hearing had been delayed despite opportunities granted by the court and ruled out all applications for joining the appeal as interested parties.

    The appeal court granted the application to amend the notice of appeal and directed the counsel to the appellants to proffer arguments on the new evidence sought to be adduced in his amended brief.

    It, however, declined hearing the motion for injunction and ruled that it is “put in abeyance”, urging counsel for the parties should ensure that their clients take no steps that may breach the peace of the community.

    The case was later adjourned for further hearing till October 20.

  • Court orders woman’s arrest for false allegation

    Court orders woman’s arrest for false allegation

    The Lagos High Court has ordered the arrest of Rahmat Omolara Animashaun over alleged false sexual assault claims against her estranged husband involving their two minor children.

    It follows legal advice by the Lagos Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommending her prosecution.

    Justice Ibironke Harrison issued a bench warrant for Ms. Animashaun, who failed to appear on July 9 in a criminal case marked LD/25997C/25 filed by the state.

    The accused is to answer to charges of perjury, false accusation, false statement to a public officer with intent, and attempt to pervert justice.

    The alleged offences are punishable under Sections 86, 95, 96, and 97(3) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, Chapter C17, Volume 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

    Ms. Animashaun and Mr Adewale Olatunji are embroiled in a custody battle.

    On October 16, 2022, Ms. Animashaun alleged that both children returned from their father looking pale and sickly.

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    She petitioned the Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos, accusing Olatunji of sexually molesting their children, but he denied the allegations.

    Further examinations at the Police Cottage Hospital reported no bruises or sexual abuse.

    The doctors recommended specialist reviews by a pediatric surgeon and a gynaecologist.

    All parties were asked to be present on November 17, 2022, but Ms. Animashaun and the Zone 2 Police failed to present the children.

    Olatunji, through his lawyers, petitioned the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Headquarters, Abuja, which took over the case.

    Ms. Animashaun was directed to produce the children at the National Hospital, Abuja, but she instead left with them for the United States.

    The Queens Family Court in New York ordered that the children be released to Olatunji to facilitate their return to Nigeria.

    On February 7, the children were evaluated by Dr. Ukpai Nwankwo Ukpai and Dr. Idris Liman at the National Hospital and were declared healthy, with no scars, bruises or evidence of trauma.

    The DPP concluded that Ms. Animashaun’s actions were calculated to mislead authorities, defame Olatunji and obstruct justice.

    She was arrested in March and was granted bail pending arraignment.

    The police investigation revealed that the medical reports that Ms. Animashaun presented were suspected to be fraudulent.

    The DPP stated: “The conduct of the suspect was less than honest and honourable.”

    Security agencies are expected to produce Ms. Animashaun on September 29.

  • Court stops Zamfara Assembly factional speaker Aliyu, eight others from parading selves as Assembly members

    Court stops Zamfara Assembly factional speaker Aliyu, eight others from parading selves as Assembly members

    A High Court of Justice in Zamfara State has issued an interim order restraining Hon. Bashar Aliyu from parading himself as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

    The order, granted by Justice Muhammad Gusau, also barred eight other individuals from presenting themselves as members of the Assembly or conducting any legislative functions pending the determination of a substantive motion before the court.

    Ruling on a motion filed by the Zamfara State House of Assembly dated June 23, 2025, the judge held:

    “That the 1st Respondent (Aliyu), by himself, his agents, employees, officials, or any other persons acting on his behalf, is hereby restrained in the interim from parading himself as the speaker of the applicant or assuming the functions of the Speaker of the Applicant, pending the hearing and determination of Motion No. ZMS/GS/M.228/2025.”

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    The court also directed that the 2nd to 9th respondents, along with their agents and associates, must refrain from holding any illegal sittings or making resolutions aimed at appointing a speaker until the motion is fully heard.

    Justice Gusau concluded, “The application succeeds and is hereby granted as prayed.”

    The court’s ruling is expected to calm the growing tension surrounding the leadership dispute within the Zamfara State legislature.

  • Court didn’t order AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN’s recall to the Senate

    Court didn’t order AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN’s recall to the Senate

  • Court orders UNILAG to reinstate sacked lecturer

    Court orders UNILAG to reinstate sacked lecturer

    The National Industrial Court has ordered the authorities of the University of Lagos to reinstate a former staff member of the institution, Mr. Bamisaye Olawale Olutola, whose employment was terminated on July 6, 2021 over sexual harassment allegation.

     The lecturer had earlier approached the court asking it to declare that his appointment as Lecturer II had not been determined and was still subsisting.

     He also requested the court to grant his request that, having worked for over four years with the University of Lagos, his employment was deemed confirmed, among others.

     Delivering judgment, in  Suit No. NICN/LA/441/ 2021, between Mr Bamisaye Olawale Olutola (Claimant) and University of Lagos (Defendant), in the  National Industrial Court of  Nigeria, in the Lagos Judicial Division, holden at Lagos, Hon Justice Ikechi Gerald Nweneka, said contrary to the claim of the University of Lagos, the Claimant’s appointment as Lecturer II still subsists.

     The court also declared that the Claimant’s appointment is deemed confirmed.

     The court equally declared that the Defendant cannot suspend the Claimant indefinitely without due process, ordering that the Claimant be reinstated to his position and employment without loss of seniority, promotion and emoluments.

     The Court further asked the authorities of the University of Lagos to “pay the Claimant his full salary and allowances from August 2021 until today, and shall continue to pay his salary thereafter.

     “An order of perpetual injunction is made restraining the Defendant either by itself, its agent, privies, servants or any other person howsoever described from unlawfully tampering with Claimant’s employment.”

     The Court also asked the Defendant to pay the Claimant N750,000.00 (seven hundred and fifty thousand naira) cost of this action.

     Adding that “This judgement shall be implemented within 30 days from today, failing which, the monetary awards, as detailed in paragraphs (e)and (g) above, shall accrue interest at 10 % per annum from 15th August 2024 until the judgment sum is fully liquidated.”

     While the court declined to grant the request of the Claimant seeking post-judgment interest of 20 % per annum, it pointed out that “This court is empowered by Order 47 Rule 7 of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2017, to post-judgment interest at a minimum rate of 10 % per annum as the claimant has not provided sufficient evidence to support a claim of 20 % interest per annum.”

     The court also averred that the “Claimant is only entitled to the statutory minimum interest of 10 % per annum, which shall be payable from 15th August 2025. Therefore, the  claim is granted.”