Contempt: Court threatens to send Wike to prison over demolition

Justice Hamza Mu’azu of Abuja High Court has threatened to send the Minister of Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Nyesom Wike to prison over alleged demolition of Mykas Grid Ventures Property located at Park 2023, Maitama District, Abuja against valid order of the court.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Justice Mu’azu gave the order after N.I. Usman, who appeared for the claimant moved a motion ex-parte to the effect.

The court granted the permission for the company to serve Forms 48 and 49 on the minister via newspaper publications.

A certified true copy (CTC) of the order made on Monday, was sighted on Tuesday in Abuja and read as follows:

“It is hereby ordered as follows:

“Leave of this honourable court is granted to the claimant/applicant to serve the Form 48 and Form 49 on the 1st defendant (minister) by substituted means to wit: by advertising same in two newspapers circulating within Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and 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 newspaper circulating in Lagos and Abuja and consider same as proper service.

The judge then adjourned the matter until March 9 for hearing.

A copy of the Form 48, signed by the court registrar and issued on Feb. 25, is titled: “Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Order of Court,” and addressed to the minister of FCT.

It reads: “Take notice that unless you obey the order of Honourable Justice H. Mu’azu of the Federal Capital “an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants from forcefully taking possession of Plot No. A06/4583 with file no. MISC 129288 measuring about 8,572.60m2, also known as Park 2023, Maitama District, Abuja pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

“an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants from forcefully taking possession of Plot No. A06/4583 with file no. MISC 129288 measuring about 8,572.60m2, also known as Park 2023, Maitama District, Abuja pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”