The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, are prohibited by a Federal High Court in Abuja from entering the Centenary Economic City Free Zone located on Airport Road.
A ruling by Justice Inyang Ekwo also included an injunction prohibiting Arab Contractors (OAO) and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) from advancing farther on the property.
Justice Ekwo also made an order nullifying and setting aside in its entirety, all executive actions, steps, decisions, and administrative controls, including the forceful encroachment of the premises by OAO at the instructions of the minister, FCTA, and FCDA without the prior consent of the plaintiffs and the overriding approval of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA).
“An order is hereby made directing Arab Contractors (OAO) Nigeria Limited, to immediately vacate the portion of the Centenary Economic City Free Zone, which it illegally occupies at the instructions of the 5th, 6th, and 7th defendants against the provisions of Sections 4 and 13 of NEPZA Act, without the express approval of the NEPZA,” he added.
Justice Ekwo, therefore, ordered Arab Contractors to pay to the plaintiffs, the sum of N100 million only for the forceful invasion and destruction of the plaintiffs’ master plan of the zone, designed by Eagle Hills Properties LLC, of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), at a cost of $35m.
The judge, who ordered the company to pay a N50 million general damages, also directed the firm to pay N5 million as cost of the action.
He equally ordered an interest on the entire judgment sum at the rate of 10 per cent per annum, commencing from the time of the delivery of the judgment till the entire judgment sum is fully liquidated by the construction firm.
