- The court also ordered the applicant to paste copies of the court order on the main entrance and walls of the property and to publish the order in national newspapers.
- Justice Madugu also instructed that all parties in the suit must maintain the status quo as of the date the substantive suit was filed, pending its resolution.
Justice Mohammed Madugu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Bwari, Abuja, issued an interim injunction authorizing the arrest, detention, and prosecution of anyone attempting to sell late Justice Moses Bello’s properties.
The judge’s ruling followed an ex-parte application marked FCT/HC/M/12904/2024, filed by Ann Eniyamire, the late judge’s daughter, through her counsel, Yahuza Maharaz.
In the process, Christ the King Catholic Church in Okene, Kogi State, and its parish priest, Reverend Father Ezekiel Awolumate, are defendants.
Justice Madugu restrained defendants and agents from selling, leasing, or mortgaging disputed properties, including plot No: 763, Cadastral Zone A6, Maitama, Abuja, pending determination.
The orders partly read: “An interim order of injunction is hereby granted restraining the defendants and their agents from selling, leasing, or mortgaging the property at plot no: 763, Cadastral Zone A6 (No 41, Panama Street), Maitama, Abuja, with C-of-O No: 164 EW-FE 243-59 DDR 6018U-10 of file No: KG 10050, or any other property that is the subject of dispute, pending the hearing of the substantive suit.
“An order directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the State Security Service, and the Nigeria Police Force to apprehend, arrest, detain, and prosecute anyone attempting to sell, mortgage, or lease the property.
“An order granting the applicant permission to mark the property with red paint and display a sign that reads ‘NOT FOR SALE / Lis Pendens’ on the property, pending the outcome of the case.”
The court ordered the applicant to paste copies of the court order on the property’s main entrance and walls and publish the order in national newspapers.
Justice Madugu instructed all parties to maintain the status quo as of the date the substantive suit was filed, pending resolution.
He warned defendants against tampering with property markings or removing court orders, considering such actions contempt of court.
Any steps taken in violation would lead to contempt charges, and defendants were reminded to comply pending hearing.
Ann Eniyamire alleged she was shortchanged in executing her father’s will, specifying an 11.11% sharing formula among his wife and eight children.
However, Eniyamire claimed Awolumate altered the formula to 4.16%, contrary to instructions.
Eniyamire seeks annulment of defendants’ decision, relief from duties as executors, and declaration of entitlement to 11.11% of her father’s assets.