Court Shifts Hearing In Multi-Million Naira Abuja Market Dispute

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja has fixed November 13, 2025, for the hearing of the ongoing dispute over the Apo Resettlement Market Scheme.

The defendants/applicants have through their lawyer Realwan Okpanachi filed a motion marked M/10869/25 mandating the claimants /respondents to pay the sum of N50million as punitive cost for deliberate refusal to comply with the order of the court made in April 15, 2025.

The matter which was scheduled for Monday, was stalled due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu who had gone for a workshop at the National Judicial Institute, howver the court officially communicated the new date .

At the center of the dispute is Plot 1729, Cadastral Zone E27, Apo District, Abuja, where a multi-billion-naira market project is being developed.

The claimants/respondents in the substantive matter are the AMAC Investment Development company and two others while Dr. Shuaibu Omeiza Musari, and Techs and Concrete Nigeria limited as respondents/applicants.

Justice Halilu, had in an earlier ruling delivered on April 15, 2025, granted an interlocutory injunction restraining all parties, particularly the claimants from continuing any form of construction work on the site, pending the determination of the substantive suit, marked CV/467/2024.

The order was made in response to an application filed by Techs and Concretes Nigeria Ltd to preserve the status quo.

Despite the order, applicants/defendants’ cousel Okpanachi, claimed the claimants/respondents in the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/467/2024 went ahead in contravention of the order of the court made in April 15,2025.

In motion before the court, the defendants’ counsel is therefore seeking an order of the court mandating the claimants to pay N850 million as punitive/exemplary costs for allegedly ignoring the court’s injunction.

An order for the demolition of any structure already built on the disputed land in violation of the injunction.

Alternatively, an order directing the Inspector-General of Police, FCT Commissioner of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to seal the property to preserve the subject matter and ensure compliance with the court’s order.

In the supporting affidavit, Techs and Concretes alleged that despite having served and pasted the April 15 order at the site, the claimants removed the posted court order and erased related inscriptions, resuming construction in disregard of the injunction.

They argued that unless the court imposes sanctions, its orders risk being treated with contempt, and its authority undermined.

Techs and Concretes had earlier told the court that a joint venture agreement was signed between it and Manillah Integrated Partners Ltd, with Techs and Concretes acting as financier, co-developer, and sole marketer, while Manillah served as the developer.

The company accuses Manillah and its allies of breaching this agreement by unilaterally continuing the market development and later initiating a suit to avoid accountability.

In the April 15 ruling, Justice Halilu affirmed the validity of the joint venture agreement, declaring that Techs and Concretes had demonstrated sufficient legal interest and was entitled to protection under the law. He granted the interlocutory injunction in the interest of justice and fair play.

Following the ruling, Dr. Musari and security officials visited the site to enforce the order by posting copies of the injunction and informing workers to cease operations.

Dr. Musari stated that his actions were guided by respect for the rule of law and a desire for all parties to comply with judicial directives.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji