By Uzair Adam
A High Court sitting in Bwari, Abuja, has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to apprehend anyone attempting to sell the properties of the late Justice Moses Bello, a former President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Abuja.
Delivering the ruling, Justice M.A. Madugu issued an injunction barring the sale of the late judge’s property located at Panama Street, Maitama District, Abuja.
The court instructed that the order be visibly posted on the property and published in national newspapers.
The court’s decision followed an ex-parte application filed by the late judge’s daughter, Ann Eniyamire, through her counsel, Yahuza Maharaz.
The suit lists Christ the King Catholic Church in Okene, Kogi State, and its parish priest, Reverend Father Ezekiel Awolumate, as defendants.
Justice Madugu ordered the defendants to refrain from selling, leasing, or mortgaging the disputed property until the case is resolved.
The court also empowered law enforcement agencies, including the EFCC and DSS, to arrest and prosecute anyone who violates the court’s orders.
Additionally, the court authorized Eniyamire to mark the property with red paint, indicating “NOT FOR SALE / Lis Pendens,” pending the outcome of the suit.
The judge warned that any attempt to remove the court’s orders from the property would result in contempt of court.
Eniyamire filed the lawsuit, alleging she was unfairly deprived of her rightful inheritance from her father’s estate. She claims her father’s will stipulated an 11.11 percent share of his assets for each of his eight children and his wife.
However, she accused the first defendant, Reverend Awolumate, of altering the share to 4.16 percent, contrary to the will.
In her suit, she is seeking a court declaration confirming her entitlement to 11.11 percent of her father’s estate and demanding the defendants present all relevant documents pertaining to the estate’s management and distribution.
Eniyamire is also requesting N500 million in general damages.