By Tony Amokeodo
Published: Tuesday, 17 Jul 2007

The demolished property was situated at No 17A, Macdonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos and it was allocated to Justice Ahmed Mohammed.

Though there was a pending court order of Justice Olayiwola of the FHC that restrained the committee from interfering or selling the judge‘s residence, the committee was said to have demolished the property on Saturday, June 19.

Speaking through her lawyer, Mr. Chris Ekemezie, Okeke added that the parties met on July 9 in order to seek amicable settlement of the matter.

Ekemezie also told the court that the committee had requested for three weeks to enable it resolve the matter.

But the lawyer added that there was no proof to show that the demolished residence had been sold to the buyer, who was said to be a serving governor in one of the North Central states.

The FHC‘s lawyer also told the court that the parties would meet on July 30 while they would brief the court on the outcome of their meeting on July 31.

Okeke, the administrative head of the court, had also filed another suit No FHC/L/CS/574/07, where she is claiming N500m damages from the committee as specific damages for the value of her house, household appliances and goods that were destroyed and carted away by the committee at the judge‘s residence.

The FHC CR also alleged that some correspondences were exchanged between the FHC, the Head of Service of the Federation and the committee over the issue.

She added that the HOS had in a letter reference No HOSF /LLO/SQ/29807 affirmed that the residential quarters for FHC‘ judges should not be encroached upon by anybody.

The plaintiff also alleged that despite the directives from the HOS, the committee had continued to disturb her with a rabid desire to sell the property.

She also claimed that the development made her to write another letter to the Federal Controller of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in reference No FHC/328/C/Vol /98.

The CR also alleged that when she further complained to the HOS on the matter, the HOS stated in clear terms that ”all houses with judiciary should not be touched”.

But when there was no headway, the CR later initiated a suit on the matter.

The CR later filed an ex parte application and it was argued on May 15.

Justice Olayiwola consequently granted the application restrained the committee from interfering with the property, pending the determination of the chief registrar‘s motion on notice.

The judge also ordered that the plaintiff should remain in the property and directed the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command to break the locks used by the committee to lock up the gates and doors of the property.

Ekemezie later told the court that the committee had been served with the court‘s order. He added that the committee had refused to obey the order, saying that the committee was in contempt of the court.

He added that the committee had deployed riot policemen to the property.