An Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Hamza Mu’azu, has directed that notices of committal proceedings be served on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, by substituted means. The order follows allegations that a demolition exercise was carried out in violation of a subsisting court order.
The ruling was made after counsel to the claimant, Mykas Grid Ventures Limited, N. I. Usman, moved an ex parte application. Justice Mu’azu granted leave for the claimant to serve Forms 48 and 49 on the minister through newspaper publication, deeming such service proper. The court also permitted substituted service of writs and other processes on the second defendant, Italia Company Ltd, via national newspapers circulating in Lagos and Abuja.
A certified true copy of the order, issued on February 25, 2026, includes Form 48 titled “Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Order of Court”, warning the minister that failure to comply with the February 10 order to maintain the status quo would amount to contempt of court, punishable by committal to a correctional facility.
Mykas Grid Ventures Ltd had earlier filed suit (M/16354/2025) seeking injunctive relief to restrain the defendants from interfering with Plot No. A06/4583 (Park 2023, Maitama District, Abuja). On February 10, Justice Mu’azu granted an interim order directing parties to maintain the status quo pending determination of the motion on notice.
Despite this, officers of the Development Control Department of the FCDA, allegedly acting on the minister’s directive, demolished the property’s fence and security house on February 24. The matter has been adjourned to March 9 and April 23, 2026, for further hearing.
