The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN) has filed a motion on notice asking an Abuja High Court to vacate an order it made restraining work on a disputed property in Abuja.
In the substantive suit, a non-governmental organization, Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation (WAYEF) had dragged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Bala Mohamed to court over an alleged unlawful revocation of a land located in the prestigious Central Business District (CBD), Abuja.
Former First Lady, Hajiya Turai Umaru Yar’Adua is said to be the sponsor of the NGO. Joined in the suit as co-defendants are the AGF, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS).?
WAYEF had in its statement of claims asserted that the property located at the coveted Central Business District, was duly allocated it on February 9, 2010 after the organization fulfilled the necessary conditions for the land.
Trouble started when the minister purportedly revoked the allocation by a notice dated November 2, 2011 for an alleged “overriding public interest.” The land was reportedly re-allocated to another organization, African First Ladies Peace Mission Centre, believed to be sponsored by the current First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.
WAYEF had sought and obtained an order of court restraining the defendants from continuing work on the disputed property.
By the motion on notice filed by the AGF, Adoke is asking the court to vacate or suspend the order to enable members of the African First Ladies Peace Mission Centre hold a foundation laying ceremony already slated for July 24 to July 27.
The AGF further contended in an affidavit in support of the motion that the image of the Nigeria would be soiled if the court failed to grant the order, as all was set for the event.?