By Admin
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Abuja, has approved substituted service of contempt proceedings against the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, following allegations that a demolition exercise was carried out in defiance of a court order.
Justice Hamza Mu’azu granted the application after counsel to the claimant, Mykas Grid Ventures Limited, moved an ex-parte motion seeking permission to serve Forms 48 and 49 notices of consequences of disobedience to a court order through newspaper publications circulating within the FCT.
The court held that such service would be deemed proper.
The dispute stems from a suit filed by Mykas Grid Ventures Limited against the minister and Italia Company Limited over Plot No. A06/4583, also known as Park 2023, located in the Maitama District of Abuja.
The claimant had secured an interim order on February 10, 2026, directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of a motion on notice.
However, the claimant alleged that officials of the Development Control Department of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), accompanied by security personnel, proceeded to demolish structures on the property on February 24, despite the subsisting court order.
The court adjourned the matter to March 9 for hearing of the committal proceedings.
Legal analysts note that the development underscores the importance of strict compliance with judicial orders in land administration and urban development matters, particularly within the Federal Capital Territory, where regulatory enforcement must align with due process and the rule of law.
