Federal High Court Stops Police From Entering Nestoil-Occupied Building in VI

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a firm order preventing the Nigerian Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, from going near a property occupied by Nestoil Group on Akin Ademola Street, Victoria Island. According to the court, the building legally belongs to Drawcok Estates Ltd.

The case started earlier this month when Drawcok Estates, through its legal team led by two senior advocates, asked the court to protect its right to two properties: one in Maitama, Abuja, and the other on Victoria Island. The company argued that the police had interfered with its ownership in ways that violated constitutional rights.

In her ruling, Justice R.N. Ofili Ajumogobia agreed. She declared that Drawcok Estates has the constitutional right to own and possess both properties, noting that the police had no legal basis to seal them off or occupy them. According to her, such actions amounted to an infringement on the company’s rights under Sections 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

The judge ordered the police and all connected agents to leave the properties immediately and hand them back to the company. She also directed them to provide security to ensure Drawcok Estates can retake full possession without harassment or interference.

With this ruling, the court essentially reset possession in favour of Drawcok Estates while stopping any further action by the police around the buildings involved.