Legal Proceedings Against FCT Minister
An Abuja High Court has issued an order allowing the serving of notices of committal proceedings on the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, through substituted means. This decision came after a demolition exercise was allegedly carried out in violation of a valid court order.
Justice Hamza Mu’azu granted this order following an ex-parte motion filed by N. I. Usman, representing Mykas Grid Ventures Limited, the claimant in the case. The judge permitted 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 seen 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 then adjourned the matter until March 9 for further hearing.
Background of the Contempt Notice
A copy of Form 48, signed by the court registrar and dated February 25, is titled “Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Order of Court,” and is addressed to the Minister of the FCT. It states:
“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
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mykas Grid Ventures Ltd initiated legal action against the FCT Minister and Italia Company Ltd, who are the 1st and 2nd defendants respectively. In the ex-parte motion, marked M/16354/2025 and filed on December 5, 2025, by a legal team led by Bala Dalum, the claimant sought an interim injunction to prevent the defendants from forcefully taking possession of Plot No. A06/4583 (File No. MISC 129288). This plot, approximately 8,572.60m² in size, is known as Park 2023, located in the Maitama District of Abuja.
On February 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 February 24 under the Minister’s directive to demolish the fence and security house, despite the existing court order.
