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Court Restrains FCTA, Others from Trespassing on Kpokpogri’s Property

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The FCT High Court sitting in Abuja, on the 7th of February, 2024, granted an interlocutory application in Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2005/2022, between PRINCE JOSEPH KPOKPOGRI V. FCT MINISTER & 5 ORS, seeking to restrain the FCT Administration and the Federal Housing Authority from trespassing or further trespassing on the property of the Plaintiff, Prince Joseph Kpokpogiri, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit. Hon. Justice C. O. Agbaza, in his ruling, resolved all the issues in favour of Mr. Kpokpogiri and against the Defendants ((1) HON. MINISTER FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, (2) FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ADMINISTRATION (FCTA), (3) FEDERAL CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (FCDA), (4) ABUJA METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY COUNCIL (AMMC), (5) FEDERAL HOUSING AUTHORITY(FHA) and (6) ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION) holding that the Mr. Kpokpogiri has established a legal right to be protected by the court. The court therefore held that the Defendants are restrained from trespassing or further trespassing on Mr. Kpokpogiri’s property located at Plots 203 and 204, Apo Estate, Guzape, Abuja, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Sometime in May, 2022, the Defendants demolished Mr Kpokpogiri’s property located at Apo Estate, Guzape, Abuja, without any court order or reasonable ground(s). The property had been partially demolished prior to the law office of Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, being briefed. The Learned Silk immediately instituted an action on behalf of Mr Kpokpogiri at the FCT High Court. The court granted an interim order of injunction against the Defendants, restraining them from further demolishing and further trespassing on the property pending the determination of the motion on notice filed along with the Writ of Summons. The Defendants were duly served the order of interim injunction on the 8th of June, 2022, along with the Writ of Summons and the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

Upon being served the order of interim injunction, the FCT Administration, in a brazen display of impunity, rushed back to the property and leveled the partially demolished building to the ground and then proceeded to file a counter affidavit to the motion for interlocutory injunction, contending inter alia that the demolition having been completed, the court cannot grant an injunction restraining a completed act.

In a reply to the counter affidavit, Prof Ozekhome detailed the FCT Administration’s contumacious acts of further demolishing the property after they had been served with the interim order of injunction and contended that they cannot rely on their own wrong as a defence to the motion. The Learned Silk further contended that the acts sought to be restrained is not just the demolition, but also the act of trespass. Though the court cannot restrain a completed act, where the action is based on trespass to land which is a continuing act, the court can grant an injunction restraining the Defendants from further trespassing on the land. He cited the case of FARUK & ANOR v. MUNKAILA & ANOR (2021) LPELR-55731(CA), where the Court of Appeal, Per OBIETONBARA OWUPELE DANIEL-KALIO, JCA (Pp 16 – 17 Paras E – B) held thus:

“True, an interlocutory injunction is not available for an act that has been carried out. However, where there are further acts such as further acts of trespass, an interlocutory injunction is available to restrain such further acts. In IDEOZU & ORS VS OCHOMA & ORS (2006) LPELR-1419 (SC) the Supreme Court explained the nature of an interlocutory injunction as one being aimed at attacking or tackling a threatening, continuing or living adverse act or conduct on the part of the owner of the act or conduct. It is when the act or conduct is completed that the relief of interlocutory injunction is totally spent and recourse would then have to be made to a perpetual injunction for remedy.”

In the ruling delivered by Justice Agbaza, the court agreed with Prof. Ozekhome and disagreed with Y. Abubakar, Esq, Counsel for the 1st – 4th Defendants, holding that the Defendants cannot rely on their own acts of impunity in demolishing the property as a defence to the application for interlocutory injunction. The court condemned the FCT Administration for their contemptuous acts of further demolishing the property after being served the order of interim injunction. The court had strong words for the FCT Administration for their disregard for rule of law. The court further held that it was an action based on trespass to land in which an order of interlocutory injunction can be granted to restrain the Defendant from further acts of trespass. The court accordingly granted the application restraining the Defendants from trespassing on or further trespassing on Mr Kpokpogiri’s property.

By this development, the interim order of injunction earlier granted on the 7th of June, 2022 was further validated and extended by a grant of the application for interlocutory injunction, pending the determination of the substantive suit. The FCT Administration was therefore, by this ruling, ordered to stay away from the disputed property located at Plot 203 and 204, Apo Estate, Abuja, until the final determination of the suit.

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70th Birthday: Davido Gifts Timi of Ede Brand New Luxurious GAC Car

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Renowned musician and pop star, David Adeleke, also known as Davido, has presented a brand-new GAC GS8 4WD car to HRM Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, the Timi of Ede, in celebration of his 70th birthday.

The luxurious vehicle was presented at an eleborate ceremony by the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, on behalf of Davido.

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Meet Nigeria Customs National Public Relations Officer, ACC Abdullahi Maiwada

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They come as ready as they are prepared. They are the efficiency of paramilitary and security endeavours. They secure border integrity. They are the Nigeria Customs Service, and one man is at the forefront of projecting their hard earned glorious image. He is Assistant Comptroller of Police Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada.

In December 2024, Maiwada, who is the National Spokesman of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) was elevated to office Assistant Comptroller of Customs. His promotion was a consequence of efficiency, doggedness, hard work and ability to exhibit all the qualities of one with an eye to details.

Maiwada was among many officers who benefitted from the recent promotion by the Customs board.

His trajectory in the Service and beyond, is captured as follows:

A prolific image manager, AC Maiwada was born on January 12, 1987 in Katsina State.

He attended his primary and secondary school education in Bayero University Kano.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education/Geography and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management from Bayero University Kano.

He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in mass communication from Crescent University Abeokuta. He is currently a Doctorate Researcher specialising in Internal Communication at the University of Abuja.

AC Maiwada was enlisted into the Nigeria Customs Service as Cadet ASC II in 2011. He had a long stint as the Zonal Public Relations Officer Zone ‘B’ Headquarters, Public Relations Officer Ogun Command (now Ogun I & II Area Commands).

AC Maiwada was deployed to Headquarters in 2020 as the pioneer Liaison Officer of Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network and later deputised the immediate past National Public Relations Officer from January 2022 to February 2023. He was appointed substantive spokesperson of NCS in April 2023, a position he holds to date.

To fully embrace the service of Public Relations and its dynamics, AC Abdullahi Maiwada is a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and a member of the African Public Relations Association (APRA).

He also holds full membership with the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), and the Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

He has attended numerous courses relating to Customs Operations, Trade Facilitation, Public Relations, Strategic Communication, and Leadership.

As a consummate and seasoned Officer, he is a recipient of the 2020 World Customs Organisation (WCO) meritorious award. He recently bagged the Best Spokesperson of the Year award organised by Image Merchant Limited.

Under his watch, the Public Relations Unit recently received the WCO Meritorious Award during the 2024 International Customs Day Celebration (ICD). He also received the 2024 Best Spokesperson Award from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

He has several published conceptual and empirical papers relating to Public Relations in Customs and other areas in the field of communication.

He is happily married with three kids.

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Glo Partners Samsung to Offer Customers the Exclusive Galaxy S-25

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Digital solutions company, Globacom, has teamed up with Samsung, world’s leading manufacturer of electronic devices, to bring a new offer to Glo subscribers. This tantalising deal allows Glo customers to pre-order the highly sought-after Samsung Galaxy S-25 smartphone and enjoy unique benefits.

Samsung Electronics unveiled its newest flagship smartphones: the Galaxy S25 series which comes with cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and was designed to elevate user experience and set new standards in the industry on January 22, 2025.

The pre-ordering exercise kicked off on January 22 and closes on February 18, 2025 at Gloworld shops across the country. It gives customers the opportunity to select from the Galaxy S25 lineup, including the S25 Ultra, the top-tier and most sophisticated model, as well as the S25+ and the standard S25. They, however, come with different processors and storage options.

Customers who pre-order the Galaxy S25 or S25+ will receive complimentary gifts, including a Buds FE, a suit cover, and Samsung Care, while those opting for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, will receive a free Buds 3, a standing grip case, and Samsung Care.

Globacom is also delighting customers who purchase any model from the Galaxy S25 series with 18GB bonus data for 6 months under smartphone festival data plans, while they can also secure their pre-order at any Gloworld shop with an advance payment of ₦500,000. Pre-ordered phones will be delivered to customers from February 19 onwards.

“We are thrilled to bring this offer to our subscribers, who will enjoy unparalleled benefits, including innovative packaging. This partnership with Samsung reinforces our commitment to providing value-added services that cater to the evolving needs of our customers”.

The company advises other phone lovers who are yet to pre-order the new device to visit any Gloworld outlet close to them and join the list of the new owners of the Samsung S-25 phone before the expiry date.

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