By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has granted an interim order restraining the Federal Capital Development Authority with Arab Contractors to stop further encroachment and destruction of the Master Plan of Centenary Economic City Free Zone (CECFZ).
The temporary injunction was contained in a suit marked FCH/ABJ/CS/2130/2022 and filed by Centenary Economic City Free Zone and Centenary City Free Zone Company.
Listed as defendants in the suit are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the federation, the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Minister of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI).
Others include the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCDA), and Arab Contractors (OAO) Nigeria Limited.
In the enrollment order dated November 22, Hon. Justice I. E. Ekwo granted an “order of interim injunction restraining the defendants “from committing further acts of encroachment, incursion and continuing to deface and destroy the master plan of Centenary Economic City Free Zone.
It also said, in respect of the parcel of land, measuring approximately 1,262.27 hectares, situate, lying and being in Plot 1271, Wawa District, Cadastral Zone E24, designated as Centenary Economic City Free Zone, by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 1st September 2014, pending the hearing and final determination of the motion on notice.”
The suit document, the court granted an Order of Maintenance of Status Quo Ante Bellum by all parties in this suit from taking any further step(s) in relation to the subject matter of the suit pending the hearing and final determination of the Motion on Notice is granted.”
Recall that in November 2016, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, in a well-researched legal opinion and attached to the Originating Summons, had earlier advised the FCDA that upon the grant of Free Trade Zone Status, to the Centenary Economic City Free Trade Zone, by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the 1st of September 2014, pursuant to section 1 of the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority Act, No 63 of 1992 which approved and designated as a Free Trade Zone.
The document further, indicates that thebpremises of Centenary Economic City, on a parcel of Land measuring 1,264.78 hectares with beacons coordinates PB57-PB59), PB60-PB69), PB70-PB79), PB80-PB89), PB90-PB99), PB1000-PB104) located at Wawa District, Cadastral Zone E24,FCT, Abuja, that the entire parcel of Land, measuring 1,264.78 hectares with beacons coordinates PB57-PB59), PB60-PB69), PB70-PB79), PB80-PB89), PB90-PB99), PB1000-PB104) located at Wawa District, Cadastral Zone E24,FCT, Abuja, ceased to be under the immediate or remote control, management and or administration of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The Federal Capital Development Authority, pursuant to section 4 of the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Act.
