Lawyer Files Contempt Suit Against IGP Over Alleged Violation Of Court Order

An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Yahuza Maharaz, has filed a contempt proceedings against the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Alhaji Isah Yusuf-Musa, and two others over alleged disregard for a valid court order.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting Bwari and presided over by Justice Mohammed Madugu, had on June 25 issued an ex parte order, urging the Police and other defendants to maintain status quo in a suit filed by Mr Maharaz on behalf of Pamodi Pharmacy, Abuja.

According to court documents, the case with suit number HC/BW/CV/199/2025 arose from a dispute over a lease agreement between Pamodi Pharmacy, located at Hillcrest Shopping Complex, Lokogoma, Abuja, and Alhaji Musa.

The suit has Alhaji Isah Yusuf-Musa, Hill Crest Estate Management Development, Nigerian Police Force, and IGP as first to fourth defendants.

Ruling on the application, with motion No: FCT/HC/M/8303/2025, Justice Madugu said, “Upon reading the Motion Exparte along with the accompanying affidavit of PHARM. ABUGI ABDULKADIR MOHAMMED, including the written address and the Exhibits filed along with the application.

“And upon hearing YAHUZA MAHARAZ Esq., counsel to the Claimants/Applicants, Court hereby makes the following order[s]: The parties herein shall maintain the status quo in respect of the subject matter of this suit i.e. an office space measured at 160 square metres, situated at Hill Crest shopping complex/mall, lying and situated at Plot No. 102. Cadastral Zone C09. Ahmadu Bello Way. Lokogoma, Abuja FCT.

“This order shall be pasted on the main entrance gate and or walls of Hill Crest shopping Complex/Mall.

The case was adjourned to October 22, 2025.

Despite the subsisting court order, however, the claimant alleged that water and electricity supply to the pharmacy were disconnected on the instruction of Mr Musa.

The claimant also alleged that the copy of the order pasted on the walls of plaza was removed against the order of the court.

In addition, the police also invited the managing director of the company for questioning in what the claimant described as a clear act of contempt.

According to a text message sent to him, he was asked to appear before a team of policemen at Zone 7 Police Headquarters on Friday.

The message read: “I’m Detective Ibrahim from Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Wuse Zone 3, FCT. As a matter of utmost importance, the Assistant Inspector General Zone 7 Police Headquarters directs you to avail yourself for an interview with the AIG through the O/C Surveillance on Friday, 11/7/2025, at 10:00 hours unfailingly in respect of a petition written to the AIG. Treat with utmost importance. Accept the regards of the AIG, please.”

However, in a Notice of Consequences of Disobedience filed on July 8, the court warned the defendants to comply with the order or risk being found guilty of contempt of court.

The notice outlines actions that must be taken, including the immediate restoration of water and electricity supply to the pharmacy and a halt to any form of harassment or police invitation against the claimant.

The notice was copied to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and Department of State Security Service (DSS).

The claimant also noted that the matter is purely a civil case, warning the police against meddling in an issue that falls outside its jurisdiction.