Court orders EFCC, DSS to prevent sale of Late Justice Moses Bello’s property

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Bwari, Abuja, has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest anyone attempting to sell the property of late Justice Moses Bello, former President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Justice M.A Madugu issued the ruling in response to an ex parte application filed by the late judge’s daughter, Ann Eniyamire, through her lawyer, Yahuza Maharaz. The court specifically barred any attempts to sell or lease the late judge’s property located at plot no: 763, Cadastral Zone A6 (No. 41, Panama Street) in Maitama, Abuja, until the case is resolved.

Christ the King Catholic Church in Okene, Kogi State, and its parish priest, Reverend Father Ezekiel Awolumate, were listed as defendants in the case, marked FCT/HC/M/12904/2024.

The court also ordered that the injunction be prominently displayed on the property and published in national newspapers, preventing any further actions until the case is concluded.

According to the court: “An interim order of injunction is hereby granted restraining the defendants and their agents from selling, leasing, or mortgaging the property at plot no: 763, Cadastral Zone A6 (no 41, Panama Street) Maitama Abuja with C-of-O No:164 EW-FE 243-59 DDR 6018U-10 of file No: KG 10050 or any other property that is the subject of dispute, pending the hearing of the substantive suit.

“An order directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the State Security Service, and the Nigeria Police Force to apprehend, arrest, detain, and prosecute anyone attempting to sell, mortgage, or lease the property.

“An order granting the applicant permission to mark the property with red paint and display a sign that reads “NOT FOR SALE / Lis Pendens” on the property, pending the outcome of the case.”

Justice Madugu ordered all parties in the suit to maintain the status quo as of the date the substantive suit was filed, pending its resolution.

He warned the defendants against tampering with the property markings or removing the court orders on the wall or entrance gate of the property, stating that any such actions would be considered as contempt of court.

More so, the court held that any steps taken in violation of its orders would lead to contempt charges.

Late Justice Bello’s daughter had instituted the suit against the defendants, alleging that she was shortchanged in the execution of her father’s will.

She told the court that her father had in his will, specified that his assets should be divided among his wife and eight children, using an 11.11 percent sharing formula.

However, Eniyamire claimed that Awolumate, the first defendant, altered the formula to 4.16 percent, contrary to her father’s instructions.

She, therefore, prayed the court to annul the defendants’ decision and to relieve them of their duties as executors of her father’s will.

Additionally, she is seeking a court declaration that she is entitled to 11.11 percent of all her father’s assets, including his shares and stocks.

She also prayed the court to direct the defendants to account, tender and hand all necessary documents with regards to administration, management and distribution of the estates of her late father to any appointed administrator general.

Other reliefs she sought in the substantive suit, included: “A declaration that the Claimant is entitled to 11.11%, being equivalent to 1/9 of shares concerning all her late father’s estates of mab farms and stocks.”

As well as, “an order of this honourable court directing the defendants to pay to the claimant the sum of N500,000,000.00 only as general damages.”