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The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, will hear an ₦850 million dispute involving the Apo Resettlement Market on November 13, 2025, over allegations that the claimants violated a court injunction by continuing construction on the contested site.
The defendants, have filed a motion seeking punitive damages for the alleged breach of a court order issued on April 15, 2025, which restrained further development pending the resolution of the case.
The defendants/applicants, represented by their lawyer, Realwan Okpanachi, submitted a motion numbered M/10869/25.
They are requesting that the court order the claimants/respondents to pay ₦50 million as punitive costs, accusing them of failing to comply with a court order issued on April 15, 2025.
The case, originally scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, was postponed because the presiding judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, was attending a workshop at the National Judicial Institute. A court official later informed all parties of the new hearing date.
The dispute involves Plot 1729, Cadastral Zone E27, Apo District, Abuja, where a market project is under development.
In the main lawsuit, the claimants/respondents include AMAC Investment and Development Company and two others. The respondents/applicants are Dr. Shuaibu Omeiza Musari and Techs and Concretes Nigeria Limited.
On April 15, 2025, Justice Halilu issued an interlocutory injunction barring all parties, especially the claimants, from carrying out construction work on the disputed land until the substantive case (CV/467/2024) is resolved.
This injunction followed an application by Techs and Concretes Nigeria Ltd to maintain the status quo.
Despite the order, Okpanachi, counsel to the defendants/applicants, accused the claimants/respondents in suit FCT/HC/CV/467/2024 of continuing construction in defiance of the injunction.
In the current motion, the defendants’ counsel seeks an order requiring the claimants to pay ₦850 million in punitive damages for disregarding the court’s directive.
They also request an order to demolish any structures built on the disputed land in violation of the injunction.
Alternatively, the defendants ask the court to direct the Inspector-General of Police, the FCT Commissioner of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to seal the property to protect the subject matter and enforce compliance.
In an affidavit supporting the motion, Techs and Concretes stated that although the April 15 order was served and posted at the site, the claimants removed the notice and erased all markings before resuming construction, violating the injunction.
The company warned that if the court does not impose sanctions, its orders risk being ignored, undermining the court’s authority.
Earlier, Techs and Concretes informed the court of a joint venture agreement with Manillah Integrated Partners Ltd, under which Techs and Concretes acted as financier, co-developer, and sole marketer, while Manillah was the developer.
Techs and Concretes accused Manillah and its associates of breaching the agreement by continuing the market development alone and filing a suit to avoid accountability.
In his April 15 ruling, Justice Halilu confirmed the joint venture agreement’s validity, recognised Techs and Concretes’ legal interest, and granted the interlocutory injunction.
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Following the ruling, Musari and security officials visited the site to enforce the court’s order by posting copies of the injunction and instructing workers to stop construction.
Musari said his actions were motivated by respect for the rule of law and a commitment to ensuring all parties comply with court orders.
