Rule Of Law On Trial In Apo Resettlement Market Dispute As Investors Face Growing Risk
In a country where court orders are meant to be final and binding, the unfolding dispute over the Apo Resettlement Scheme Market in Abuja is raising uncomfortable questions about compliance, enforcement, and the safety of property investments.
At the centre of the controversy is the alleged defiance of a subsisting court order by Manillah Integrated Partners Ltd and AMAC Investment Development Company, both linked to the disputed multi-million naira project.
The matter dates back to April 15, 2025, when Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court issued an interlocutory injunction halting all construction pending the determination of the case.
The order was duly served, with court bailiffs marking the site “Stop Work” on April 28, 2025.
However, reports suggest construction has continued regardless, with claims that injunction notices were removed.
A visit by journalists and security personnel on May 12, 2025, reportedly confirmed ongoing work, while the court’s directives had been erased.
Tensions escalated earlier on May 3, when Dr Shuaibu Musari, one of the parties, was allegedly attacked by site workers during an inspection.
If proven, such actions amount to contempt of court, a serious offence under Nigerian law that could attract fines or imprisonment.
The dispute has now moved into a more critical phase. At a resumed hearing on April 23, 2026, at the Maitama High Court, Justice Halilu adjourned proceedings to May 7, 2026, to allow service of a subpoena on Dr Musari.
Meanwhile, Musari has initiated contempt proceedings against the two companies, filing Forms 48 and 49—legal instruments used to penalise disobedience of court orders.
The court approved substituted service, including via WhatsApp, while counsel to the second claimant, Idris Abubakar (SAN), accepted the documents on behalf of both firms.
Musari is seeking an order compelling the companies to pay ₦850 million for allegedly breaching the 2025 injunction. Notably, Manillah Integrated Partners Ltd was absent at the latest hearing.
Beyond the legal tussle, the case carries serious implications for investors.
Despite the ongoing litigation, there are claims that shops in the disputed market are still being marketed and sold, placing unsuspecting buyers at risk of financial loss should the court rule against the developers.
The Apo market dispute is fast becoming more than a commercial disagreement.
It is a litmus test for judicial authority, investor protection, and the credibility of Nigeria’s property market.
The outcome will likely send a strong signal on whether the rule of law can withstand pressure in high-stakes commercial battles.
For now, caution remains the watchword.
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