Demolition: Court orders notices of committal proceedings on Wike
An Abuja High Court has granted an order to serve notices of committal proceedings on the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, by substituted means, following a demolition exercise allegedly carried out in defiance of a valid court order. Justice Hamza Mu’azu gave the order after N. I. Usman, appearing for the claimant, Mykas Grid […]
An Abuja High Court has granted an order to serve notices of committal proceedings on the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, by substituted means, following a demolition exercise allegedly carried out in defiance of a valid court order.
Justice Hamza Mu’azu gave the order after N. I. Usman, appearing for the claimant, Mykas Grid Ventures Limited, moved an ex-parte motion to that effect.
Justice Mu’azu granted permission for the company to serve Forms 48 and 49 on the minister via newspaper publications.
A Certified True Copy (CTC) of the order, issued on Monday, was sighted on Tuesday in Abuja.
The document states:
“Leave of this honourable court is granted to the claimant/applicant to serve Form 48 and Form 49 on the 1st defendant (the Minister) by substituted means, to wit: by advertising same in two newspapers circulating within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and to consider same as proper service.
“Leave of this honourable court is granted to the claimant/applicant to serve the writ of summons and all other processes in this suit on the 2nd defendant by substituted means, to wit: by advertising same in two national newspapers circulating in Lagos and Abuja, and to consider same as proper service.”
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until March 9 for hearing.
Background of the contempt notice
A copy of Form 48, signed by the court registrar and issued on Feb. 25, is titled: “Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Order of Court,” and is addressed to the Minister of the FCT.
It reads: “Take notice that unless you obey the order of Honourable Justice H. Mu’azu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court 24, Abuja, dated 10th February, 2026, which directed parties to maintain status quo pending the hearing of the motion on notice:
“Take further notice that unless you obey the above order, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to a correctional centre.”
The original suit
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mykas Grid Ventures Ltd sued the FCT Minister and Italia Company Ltd as the 1st and 2nd defendants, respectively.
In the ex-parte motion (marked M/16354/2025 and filed on Dec. 5, 2025, by a legal team led by Bala Dalum), the claimant sought an interim injunction restraining the defendants from forcefully taking possession of Plot No. A06/4583 (File No. MISC 129288), a space of approximately 8,572.60m² known as Park 2023, Maitama District, Abuja.
On Feb. 10, Justice Mu’azu granted the status quo order following a motion moved by lawyer Hussaina Tukur and adjourned the substantive matter until April 23.
However, officers of the Development Control Department of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), accompanied by security personnel, allegedly moved to the site on Feb. 24 under the Minister’s directive to demolish the fence and security house, despite the subsisting court order. (NAN)