Auto dealer drags FCT Minister, Devt. Control, Wakil to court over invasion of business premises

By Editor

...Demands award of N500m for damages
…Prays court to stop DDC from entering into his automobile business premises

An automobile firm, 7th Gear Auto Limited, has dragged the Directior, lDepartment of Development Control under the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, AMMC, to court over alleged illegal invasion of its business premises.

In the case logded before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the clamant is demanding the sun of N500 million from the government agency as payment for damages, actionable trespass, unlawful seizure, ultra vires and illegal actions, physiological trauma and stress occasioned to the Claimant on account of their unlawful activities.

Also joined in the suites filed by the legal firm of Abalaka and Co, on behalf of the claimant are Mohammed Wakil and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Mohammed Bello, respectfully.

According to the case deposed to by Layotunde Olayiwole, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of 7th Gear Auto Limited, alleged that the claimant’s automobile business activities on 22nd April, 2022 was disrupted by men and officers of the 1 and 3rd Defendants at the business premises of the Claimant situate, known and described as Plot 1093, Cadastral Zone A00, Central Area, Abuja (“the Property”) as well as the unauthorized seizure of five (5) luxurious/exotic cars owned and

“That claimant is therefore seeking a declaration that by the virtue of Section 7 of the Federal Capital Territory Act. 1976 the 1st and 3d Defendants have no powers and/or right in law to interference with and/or meddle in tenancy affairs thereby assisting the 2nd Defendant as an arbiter to recover possession of all that property situate, known and described as Plot 1093, Cadastral Zone A00, Central Area, Abuja (“the Property”) which actions are unlawful, illegal, null, void and ultra-vires their powers under the said Act

“That the disruption of the Claimant’s automobile business activities on 22nd April, 2022 by men and officers of the 1 and 3rd Defendants at the business premises of the Claimant situate, known and described as Plot 1093, Cadastral Zone A00, Central Area, Abuja (“the Property”) as well as the unauthorized seizure of five (5) luxurious/exotic cars owned by the claimant.

The claimant is also seeking declaration stoping the Department of Development Control from entering into or coming upon the Claimant’s automobile business premises for any illegal purpose: restraining the 1 and 3 Defendants from engaging in and further taking illegal step(s) towards recovery of possession of Plot 1093, Cadastral Zone A00, Central Area, Abuja in favour of the 2nd Defendant and/or any other form of obstruction of the Claimant’s automobile business whether by way of trespass or unauthorized seizure of vehicles and/or properties or from conducting any form of demolition exercise at the Claimant’s business premises or from taking any step(s) or directing the taking of any step(s) or action(s), sanction(s), measure(s) and/or direction(s) of any type or nature, whether actual or constructive which action(s), sanction(s), measure(s) and/or direction(s) may culminate in or is likely to adversely affect the Claimant’s possessory/tenancy rights to all that Property situate, known and described as Plot 1093, Cadastral Zone A00, Central Area, Abuja.

“Award of punitive and examplary damages in the sum of N500, 000, 000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) against the 1 and 3rd Defendants for actionable trespass, unlawful seizure, ultra vires and illegal actions, physiological trauma and stress occasioned to the Claimant on account of their unlawful activities.

“Cost of N2, 000, 000.00 (Two Million Naira) being cost of professional fees/costs paid by the Claimant to prosecute this action before this Honourable Court.”

The management of the 7Th Gear Auto Limited, said it is the legally occupant of the business premises located at Plot 1093, Cadastral Zone A00, Central Area, Abuja .