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By Lukman Olabiyi
Justice Ganiyu Ali Safari of the Lagos State High Court, Eti-Osa has restrained the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ) and any other law enforcement agencies from arresting or harassing personnel of A4 Reality Limited, over the possession of landed property in Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
The judge gave the verdict while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the firm, regarding a landed property, situated at Plot 1, Block XXE, Ojomu Chieftaincy Family Layout, Ajiran, Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
Respondents in the suit were Access Bank Plc, NPF, Inspector General of Police and the EFCC.
The court ordered parties in the suit to maintain the status quo, pending the final determination of the suit.
In the restraining orders, delivered on October 16, 2023, Justice Safari stopped all the respondents and any other law enforcement agencies by themselves and/or through their agents, privies, officers or otherwise, however called, from harassing, threatening, arresting, molesting. inviting and/or chasing away the officers, employees, staff, construction engineers, site managers or anybody/person working for the firm on its land.
Meanwhile, the firm’s counsel, Prince I. Nwafuru, has raised the alarm over continuous harassment of his client personnel despite the court’s order. Nwafuru gave an update on the case at a press conference held yesterday. He accused the bank of using law enforcement agencies to perpetrate illegality.
He gave details of how the firm acquired the property in question from the bank, in which all necessary documents regarding the transaction were signed by both parties.
The lawyer disclosed that trial judge, Justice Safari, had already fixed November 13, 2023 for hearing of his client’s suit against the respondents.
Part of the orders granted by the court restraining the respondents read: “An order of interim injunction restraining the respondents to maintain status quo and stay all actions in connection with the applicant’s property situate and located at Plot 1, Block XXE, Ojomu Chieftaincy Family Layout, Ajiran, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State, measuring approximately 5,000 square metres, pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion on notice in this suit.
“An order directing the respondents to maintain status quo and stay all actions in connection with the applicant’s property situate and located at Plot 1, Block XXE, Ojomu Chieftaincy Family Layout, Ajiran, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State, measuring approximately 5,000 square metres pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion on notice in this suit”.
