Tag: Court

 

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced Mahmud Usman, one of the proscribed terrorist organisation, Ansaru, to a 15-year imprisonment for illegal mining activities.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after Usman, a.k.a Abu Bara’a/Abbas Mukhtar, pleaded guilty to count 10 of the 32-count terrorism charge preferred against him and his deputy commander, Abubakar Abba, a.k.a Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri.

Justice Nwite also ordered the convict to be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending his trial for the 31 counts in which he pleaded not guilty.

The order followed the application by the Federal Government’s counsel, M.B. Abubakar, who is the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, citing national security concerns.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Usman and Abba, in count 10, were alleged to have, sometimes between 2015 and 2025 committed the illegal mining offence.

They were accused to have mined precious minerals such as thunder and california stones without lawful authority.

The offence, according to the Federal Government, is contrary to and punishable under Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, LFN 2004, and punishable under the same Section of the Act.

Although Usman pleaded guilty to count 10, Abba, who is a deputy commander of the terrorist group, did not when the whole counts were read to them.

The judge consequently adjourned the matter until Sept. 21 for trial.

NAN had, on Wednesday, reported that the two top leaders of Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda affiliated network, would be arraigned today before Justice Nwite.

Usman and Abba, popularly called Mallam Mamuda, were arraigned on 32-count charge bordering on terrorism and others.

While Usman is the 1st defendant, Abba is the 2nd defendant in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025.

The charge is dated and filed on Sept. 4 by Mr Abubakar on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

In count, Usman who hails from Okene Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi and Abba from Daura LGA of Katsina State were alleged to have aided and abetted the acts of terrorism sometimes between 2013 and 2015.

They were accused of conspiring amongst themselves and agreeing to be part of the formation and top commanders of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (a.k.a. JAMBS/Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.

In counts three and four, they were accused of receiving training in weapons handling and training on the fabrication of Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) from various terrorist camps.

In count five, they were accused of an act preparatory to acts of terrorism by receiving training on war tactics from Jama’atu Nusratil Islami Wal Muslimin, a.k.a. JNIM, a terrorist group in Mali.

Also, count seven, they were accused of contributing to the attack on Wawa Cantonment of the Nigerian Army in Kainji, New-Bussa, Borgu LGA of Niger sometimes in 2022 resulting in mass causalities, among the 32 counts.

 

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Muhammed Ovosi to three months imprisonment for disguising the origin of N5 million to facilitate the export of one million barrels of petroleum products without lawful licence.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who handed down the judgment after Ovosi’s plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), also ordered him to pay the sum of N500, 000 in line with the agreement terms.

The order followed an application by the EFCC’s lawyer, Martha Babatunde, praying the court to convict and sentence the defendant in view of his guilty plea and in line with the plea bargain agreement.

She said the plea bargain agreement was made pursuant to Section 270 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

Ovosi, the 5th defendant, pleaded guilty to count five preferred against only him from the seven-count charge filed by the commission against the six defendants in the case.

He was alleged to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N5 million paid by Mr Xu Ningqun to facilitate the export of one million barrels of petroleum products without licence.

The money was said to form part of the proceeds of unlawful activities and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition and Prevention Act.

From the total sum, N1, 770, 000 was allegedly traced to Ovosi and he agreed to restitute the said amount to the Federal Government’s coffers and applied for a plea bargain through his lawyer, Chidera Ngbe.

Justice Nwite, however, ordered the other defendants, who pleaded not guilty to the charge to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their bail application.

The judge adjourned the matter until Sept. 15 for hearing of the bail application of the defendants.

The EFCC had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/365/2025, named Fawei Noel Young, David Macaulay Ugbe, Umar Konto Muhammed Kaigama, Muhammed Ovosi and Fogmos Professions Ltd as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

In count one, Young, Ugbe, Konto, Kaigama, Fogmos Professions Limited, Sentuo Oil Refinery Limited (at large), MT Terepaima (at large) and others at large were alleged to have, sometime in May in Abuja, conspired amongst themselves to deal in petroleum products without lawful authority.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 21 of the Money Laundering Prohibition and Prevention Act and punishable under the same Act.

 

The Federal High Court  in Abuja on Wednesday, adjourned sine die (without a day) , to rule on the admissibility of extra-judicial statements made by three terrorism suspects, after hearing final arguments in a trial-within-trial.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the case, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, involves Haruna  Abbas, Ibrahim Musa, and Adam Suleiman, who are standing trial for conspiracy, recruitment for terrorist training, surveillance of foreign embassies, and providing support for acts of terrorism.

The trial-within-trial became necessary following objections raised by defence counsel, who argued that the defendants’ extra-judicial statements were not made voluntarily.

At Wednesday’s hearing, prosecution counsel, Mr Bello Abu told the court that during the trial-within-trial, the first defendant, Abbas, admitted under cross-examination that his allegation of coercion in obtaining the statement was false.

Abu also noted that while the court had directed all parties to file written addresses, only the prosecution had done so within the stipulated time, with one of the defence counsel yet to file.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that although the matter was earlier fixed for Oct. 8 for adoption of written addresses, it was brought forward following an application by the prosecution for accelerated hearing during the court’s vacation.

The request was granted by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

After counsel had closed their arguments on Wednesday, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter sine die to deliver his ruling on the admissibility of the extra-judicial statements.

He said that all parties would be given one week notice through the registrar of the court.

NAN reports that the case, which dates back to 2014, has experienced repeated delays, having been reassigned to different judges on at least three occasions, requiring the trial to start afresh each time.

Some of the charges against the defendants border on conspiracy to do an act preparatory to an act of terrorism, obtaining Nigerian International Passport and Iranian Visa for the purpose of travelling to Iran for terrorist training thereby offending Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 as amended by Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment) Act 2013.

Others are carrying out an act in furtherance of an act of terrorism by recruiting and transporting young men like the 2nd and 3rd defendants in this case to Iran for terrorist training contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 as amended by Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under Section 33(1)(a) of the same Act.

Others are rendering support to an act of terrorism by agreeing to send persons for terrorist training in Iran contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 as amended by Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

“Participation in terrorist meeting contrary to Section 3(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 as amended by Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2013.

“Embarking on an act preparatory to an act of terrorism by compiling a list of American and Israeli concerns in Lagos, and their locations in map which indicates USA Consular office in Lagos and sent them to one Abu Ali in Iran.

” Using coded language with encryption software through his email addresses contrary to Section 1(1}{a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 as amended by the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

The Federal High Court in Abuja has warned Mohammed Usman, also known as Khalid Al-Barnawi, the alleged leader of Boko Haram dissident splinter group, Ansaru, and four other suspects, against absenting themselves from court sessions.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the warning on Tuesday following the absence of Al-Barnawi, the 1st defendant, and his lawyer in court.

Justice Nwite also ordered the counsel and the defendants to show up at the next hearing date fixed for Sept. 5.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that Al-Barnawi is being prosecuted on terrorism related charges along with other suspected members of his group.

Other co-defendants include Mohammed Bashir Saleh; Umar Mohammed Bello, a.k.a Datti; Mohammmed Salisu and Yakubu Nuhu, a.k.a Bello Maishayi.

They are among others, accused of being members of Ansaru terrorist group, also known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan.

The defendants are also alleged to have conspired among themselves to carry out acts of terrorism between 2011 and 2013 in Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe and other states in the northern part of the country.

Upon resumed trial on Tuesday, the prosecuting lawyer, Alex Izinyon, SAN, told the court that the case was scheduled for continuation of proceedings in the trial-within-trial.

Izinyon however said that the 1st defendant (Usman) and his lawyer were not in court.

He further observed that lawyers to two other defendants were also not in court.

The lawyer told the court that Al-Barnawi’s lawyer, who claimed to be away in Enugu, had promised to send a representative, but failed to do so.

Izinyon expressed concern that the absence of the 1st defendant and the defence lawyers was unpleasant to the resolve by the court to accelerate hearing in the about 13-year trial.

He said the absence of the defence lawyers without communicating to the court was disrespectful.

Lawyer to Bello and Nuhu (3rd and 4th defendants), Abdulkarim Audu, equally submitted that the proceedings would have to be rescheduled in view of the absence of the 1st defendant and the defence lawyers.

Both lawyers however urged the court to grant a short adjournment to enable parties make progress in the case within the ongoing vacation of the court.

Justice Nwite expressed displeasure over the absence of the 1st defendant and some of the defence lawyers in court.

According to the judge, it is unfortunate that this scenario is playing out when the effort is to ensure expeditious hearing of the matter.

“This court will not condone the attitude of the 1st defendant or any of the defendants in absenting themselves from the proceedings,” he said.

The judge directed lawyers to parties to work together to address what informed the absence of Al-Barnawi and other defence lawyers to prevent further delay in the case.

Justice Nwite then adjourned the matter until Sept. 5 and Sept. 12 for continuation of evidence of the 3rd prosecution witness (PW3) and the playing of the videos in the trial-within-trial.

The U.S. had, in 2012, placed a $5 million (£3.5m) bounty on Al-Barnawi’s head after branding him one of three Nigerian “specially designated global terrorists.”

Ansaru is said to be ideologically aligned to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and is also accused of killing a number of Westerners.

Ansaru was reported to have claimed that it carried out an attack on a maximum security prison in Abuja in 2012 during which dozens of inmates were freed.

 

An Abuja High Court has declined to grant an order restraining Paulo Homes Ltd, the FCT Minister, and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) from carrying out further activities within River Park Estate Abuja.

Justice C.O. Agashieze, a vacation judge, refused to hear the motion on notice filed by JonahCapital Nigeria Ltd following the argument by counsel to Paulo Homes Ltd, Oluwabunmi Adebiyi, informing the court of the 1st defendant’s preliminary objection to the suit.

The motion on notice, marked M/10188/2025, was drawn from a suit filed by JonahCapital Nigeria Ltd against Paulo Homes Ltd; the FCT Minister and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

The motion on notice arose from the suit with number; FCT/HC/CV/2902/2025, filed via writ of summons dated July 28.

The claimant/applicant, in the motion on notice, had sought an “Order of interlocutory injunction
restraining the 1st defendant/respondent acting by themselves, their agents, privies, assigns, successors – in title, or any persons however described from further trespassing, seizing, taking over, selling, converting or in any way divesting the claimants/applicant’s interest or in any way tampering, with the large expanse of land within River Park Estate.”

However, Adebiyi, in the last adjourned date, had submitted that three Ghanaians namely; Kojo Mensah, Sam Jonah, Victor Quainoo, had, despite facing charges before another FCT High Court based on police investigation, which did confirm that the documents with which they tried to take over JonahCapital Nigeria Ltd and Houses For Africa Nigeria Ltd, were allegedly forged, with forensic report to support that, went ahead to use the name of JonahCapital Nigeria Ltd, on the 28th of July 2025, to institute an action against Paulo Homes Nigeria Ltd and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Meanwhile, findings by newsmen at the court on Monday showed that the motion on notice which came up last Thursday, could not be heard due to the preliminary objection by the 1st defendant.

Also speaking with newsmen, Adebiyi said: “The court did not give any order restraining any of the defendants in this matter.

“What the court did on the last date the matter came up was to return the entire case file back to the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court for re-assignment.

“In arriving at that position, the court took cognizance of the fact that, being a vacation court, the matters that are before it in this matter are too complex for the court to resolve within that short time.

“Once the order to return the case file to the Chief Judge was made, the case was adjourned sine die (indefinitely).

“The two parties had applications before the court but the court did not hear any of those application.

“The court even noted that it had no power at this point where the 1st defendant had a notice of preliminary objection, to restrain any of the defendants.

“I therefore challenge any of these guys to provide to the public, the directive of the Inspector General of Police, or any proof whatsoever that the IGP had stated they should continue to investigate certain Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records. That is a lie.

“Also, I challenge them to provide any record from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, directing that all action should be suspended by the police regarding this matter.

“In fact, the police have concluded their investigation and the report had been issued.”

It would be recalled that Justice Modupe-Osho Adebiyi of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Gwarimpa, had fixed October 7, for the arraignment of the three Ghanaians over alleged forgery, claims of breach of investment agreements, unlawful property seizures, impersonation etc.

 

 

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, granted an application filed by the Department of State Service (DSS) to shield its witnesses in the trial of five suspected terrorists who attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request after DSS lawyer, Calistus Eze, moved the motion ex-parte to the effect and was not opposed by counsel to the defendants, Abdullahi Muhammad.

Eze had told the court that the application became necessary due to the ongoing threat against the would-be witnesses of the prosecution.

The suspects include Idris Omeiza, 25 years; Al Qasim Idris, 20 years; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26 years; Abdulhaleem Idris, 25 years and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47 years.

They are 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the terror attack, which occured on June 5, 2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State left over 40 worshippers dead while over 100 others sustained injuries.

The Federal Government had filed a nine-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025, against the five susoects.

The charge is dated and filed on July 23 by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions in the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The suspects and others, who are at large, were alleged to have sometime in 2021, joined and became members of AL Shabab Terrorist Group.

They were accused of operating their cell in Kogi State contrary to and punishable under Section 25(1) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(a) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The defendants were alleged to have, on June 5, with intent to cause death, did detonate Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which led to the death of over 40 persons, including: Ajanaku John; Onuoha Deborah; Onileke Esther and John Bosede.

They were also alleged to have, on June 5 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo with intent to further their religious ideology and while armed with IEDs and AK 47 rifles, did attack worshippers, held them hostage and in the process, caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons, including Onileke Ayodele, John Blessing, Nselu Esther and Ogungbade Peter.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 42 (a)(ii) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, among other counts.

 

 

The Incorporated Trustees of Legal Defence Against Injustice Initiative has filed a suit seeking the refund of over N140 billion into the coffers of the Federal Government.

The fund is said to be connected to the acquisition of OVH Energy by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The originating summons, marked:CV/3104/2025, was filed by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Mr Festus Ugo, at the Abuja High Court.

The group sued NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer and its former Executive Vice President, Downstream, Mr Adedapo Segun; the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suit, filed under public interest litigation, sought two issues for determination and five principal reliefs.

The plaintiff is urging the court to determine among others, wether the 1st defendant is not personally liable to account for and refund to the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the 2nd and 3rd defendants the total sum of 325.09 million dollars.

The amount it claimed was paid by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the remit of the 1st defendant as the Executive Vice President, Downstream in connection with the acquisition of the of OVH Energy by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited?

“An order of this Honourable Court directing the 1st defendant to pay forthwith into the treasury of the Federal Government of Nigeria [through the 2nd and 3rd defendants] the total sum of $325.09 million (N140.559 billion).

“An order of this Honourable Court directing the 2nd and 3rd defendants to forthwith prosecute 1st defendant in relation to the roles he played in connection with the acquisition of the of OVH Energy by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and rehabilitation of the Port-Harcourt and Warri Refineries.”

“An order of perpetual injunction barring the 1st defendant from holding any public office in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The suit came on the heels of recent revelation by the EFCC that it had recovered some funds that were diverted by both contractors and key officials of the NNPCL.

In the affidavit of facts in support of the suit, Patience Essien, a litigation secretary in the law firm, said she knew that despite the allegations against the 1st defendant, the EFCC was yet to file a charge against him.

“There is need for urgent intervention judicially to bring the 1st defendant to account.

“I make this oath in good faith and conscientiously believing same to be true and in accordance with the Oaths Act, 2004,” she deposed.

Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for the matter to be heard.

The Federal Government is to arraign five suspected terrorists who attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State on June 5, 2022 where scores of worshippers were killed.

They will be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The five suspects, who were escorted into the courtroom by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at about 9:05am, include Idris Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) is the prosecuting the case on FG’s behalf.

The AGF, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025, preferred nine counts against the defendants.

In the charge filed and signed by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions in the Federal Ministry of Justice, the suspects, and others who are at large, were alleged to have sometime in 2021, joined and became members of AL Shabab Terrorist Group.

They were alleged to have their “cell in Kogi and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 25(1) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. ”

In count two, they were alleged to have on May 30, 2022; June 3, 2022 and June 4, 2022, at Government Secondary School, Ogamirana, Adavi LGA in Kogi and behind Omialafa Central Mosque, Ose LGA, Ondo State, respectively, attended and held meetings, where you agreed to and planned for the terrorist attack, which they carried out on June 5, 2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

They offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(a) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

As at the time of the report, the suspects are yet to be arraigned.

 

A High Court in Abuja has awarded a fine of N85 million against Zenith Bank Plc for freezing a customer’s bank account by relying on an invalid court order.

Justice S. U. Bature, in a judgment, also ordered the bank to immediately unfreeze the account domicile in its branch at 63, Usuma Street, Maitama, opposite Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Justice Bature directed the bank to publish a public apology to the customer, Abhulimen & Co, in two national newspapers and on its website.

The judge held that the bank acted on an invalid order made by a Magistrate Court that lacked the requisite jurisdiction.

Justice Bature further held that the decision of the bank and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the 2nd defendant in the suit, to freeze the customer’s account, based on a supposed order by the Magistrate Court, without notifying the said customer, was illogical and a betrayal of the banker-customers’ relationship between parties.

The judge said it was unfortunate that a major financial institution like Zenith Bank, with a Legal Department, supposedly manned by lawyers, would claim to have acted based on an invalid order by a Magistrate Court that lacked the jurisdiction to entertain any banking related case, including issuing orders for the freezing of a bank account.

The judgement was delivered on July 16 but its certified true copy (CTC) made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

Paulyn O. Abhulimen, SAN, trading under the name and style of Abhulimen & Co, had, in the suit marked: FCT/HC/CV/2194/2024, sued the Zenith Bank and NPF as 1st and 2nd defendants.

Abhulimen sued through the law firm of Kehinde & Partners LP, claiming that, in early 2024, after being unable to access the account of her firm, Abhulimen & Co, and make transactions with it, she discovered that the bank placed a post-no-debt (PND) on it.

She claimed to have subsequently contacted an official of the bank, who is in charge of the account, Obi Okafor.

She said Okafor told her about the development, following which the bank, in March 13, 2024 claimed to have frozen the account based on an order obtained by the NPF from a Chief Magistrates Court in Mararaba Gurku, Nasarawa State.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Bature said: “The said account was opened at the first defendant’s (Zenith Bank’s) Transcorp Hilton branch, here in Abuja, and the 2nd defendant (NPF) is also domiciled in Abuja.

“The rationale behind seeking the said order at a Magistrate Court under the Nasarawa State jurisdiction cannot be understood, and the 2nd defendant did not appear, to be able to give any explanation or reason as to why they decided to follow this line of action.

“The said Magistrate Court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the application.

“Regarding the substantive jurisdiction of the court to make the order, it is clear from the provisions of Section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), that matters relating to banks and banking transactions are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, and matters relating to banker-customer disputes are jointly under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, State High Courts and High Court of the FCT,” Justice Bature said.

According to the judge, from the foregoing, it is clear that Magistrate Courts lack the jurisdiction to entertain an application for an order to freeze a bank account of a person, and should not have entertained the said application in its entirety.

“The legal department of the first defendant (Zenith Bank), being lawyers, should have been aware of this position of the law and taken the appropriate action in this situation, as they ought not to have obeyed the court order in the first place.

“Thus, the 1st defendant was wrong to have placed a PND on the account of the claimant based on the order of a court lacking the requisite jurisdiction to do so. I so hold,” the judge held.

The judge faulted the failure of the bank to inform the claimant about its decision to freeze her company’s account, describing it as a breach of the duty of care it owed to its customers.

Justice Bature said: “It is the humble opinion of this honourable court that, the first defendant owed the claimant a duty of care of duly informing her that her account had been frozen.

“The 1st defendant placed a post-no-debit on the account of the claimant’s firm, but same was not communicated to the claimant until she encountered difficulties in the use of the said account.

“It is the humble opinion of this honourable court that, the 1st defendant owed the claimant a duty of care of duly informing her that her account had been frozen

“The failure of the 1st defendant to inform the claimant of the state of affairs on her account amounts to negligence on the part of the 1st defendant and hence, a breach of duty of care and due diligence owed to the claimant. I so hold,” Justice Bature said.

Having found that the bank and the NPF acted unlawfully, the judge proceeded to declare among others, that an order to freeze a bank account cannot validly be granted ex-parte to last indefinitely.

He also declared that the Chief Magistrate Court of Nasarawa State, sitting at Mararaba Gurku, lacked the requisite jurisdiction to make an order to freeze the claimant’s Zenith Bank Plc’s account number: 1012272348, based on an ex-parte application.

“The defendants are hereby ordered to jointly and severally pay the sum of N60 million to the claimant as general damages for the embarrassment, psychological trauma, financial distress, emotional stress and grave inconveniences suffered by the claimant due to the defendants’ actions.

“The defendants are hereby ordered to jointly and severally pay the sum of N25 million to the claimant as cost of this action,” Justice Bature declared.