Court Issues Interim Injunction Protecting Former Defence Minister from EFCC Harassment in Land Dispute
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Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi, Abuja, issued an interim order on Tuesday preventing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting or detaining former Minister of Defence, Mr. Lawal Batagarawa, in connection with a land dispute. The court also prohibited the EFCC and its agents from inviting, harassing, intimidating, or threatening Batagarawa until further notice, responding to allegations of undue harassment faced by him.
During a recent hearing regarding motion ex-parte M/12520/2025, filed on September 19, 2024, Justice Halilu considered a request from C. J. Aondo, counsel for the applicant. Aondo sought an interim injunction to restrain the EFCC and its affiliates, including the 2nd and 3rd respondents, from actions related to a land allocation to LAMDA BETA INVESTMENT LTD., located at 1249 Cadastral Zone BOI, Gudu District, Abuja. The court also permitted substituted service of the originating process and related documents on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respondents through the EFCC, located at Plot 301/302, Institution and Research Cadastral District, Jabi, Abuja, pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s motion for an interlocutory injunction.
Justice Halilu emphasized the need for further orders that the court might find appropriate and formally granted the interim injunction, which will remain in effect until the hearing and determination of the applicant’s motion for an interlocutory injunction. The substantive motion for the enforcement of fundamental human rights has been adjourned to October 31, 2024, for consideration of the originating motion.
In an affidavit dated September 20, 2024, Batagarawa detailed instances of harassment, including his detention at the EFCC’s office on August 19 and 20, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., after which he was released on administrative bail. He reported facing repeated summons and harassing phone calls from EFCC agents.
Batagarawa contends that the EFCC’s actions were motivated by false allegations made by the 4th respondent, Patrick Ineke, and his legal representatives, who claim ownership of the disputed land. These allegations are based on a purported transaction involving Ineke, the late Mrs. Allah, and Wilson Osuagwu, who served as Batagarawa’s orderly during his tenure as Minister of Defence in 2001.
In his affidavit, Batagarawa refuted these claims, asserting that the land had been allocated to Lamda Beta Investment Limited by the Federal Capital Development Authority in 2001. He provided documentation of payments totaling N3,050,683.33 for the right of occupancy and related fees, made through Intercity Bank PLC on June 16, 2001.
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