Court Orders FG To Halt Action In Alleged Contract Breach Suit

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, ordered parties in an alleged contract breach brought against the Federal Ministry of Interior to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

A firm, Anchor Dataware Solutions Limited, dragged the ministry and two others before the court over the alleged wrongful termination of contract for the management and maintenance of the e-Citibiz platform—an automation system for processing expatriate quotas, business permits, citizenship administration, and marriage registration.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/770/2025, has the Federal Ministry of Interior, the attorney general of the federation, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria as first to third defendants.

The company is seeking several declarations and reliefs, including a pronouncement that the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement signed with the ministry remains valid and binding.

It also wants the court to declare that the purported disengagement of its services via a letter dated April 15, 2025, was unlawful and in breach of the contract terms.

Anchor Dataware further seeks an injunction restraining the ministry from engaging another service provider, except in accordance with the procedures set out in clause 13.1 of the contract, which requires a three-month notice period for termination.

The firm is also asking for ₦20 million in damages.

At Monday’s proceedings, the counsel to the plaintiff, A.O. Amagwula, and defence counsel representing the defendants, Abiola Olayiwola, appeared before the court.

The matter had earlier been adjourned on April 24 to enable parties to be put on notice for the hearing of a motion on notice.

However, when the case was called, Olayiwola informed the court that the defendants had been served with the plaintiff’s counter-affidavit and were still within the statutory time to respond.

He, therefore, requested an adjournment to enable the defence to file its processes.

Amagwula did not oppose the application but urged the court to direct parties to maintain the status quo to prevent actions that might undermine the litigation’s subject.

Justice Nwite, in a short ruling, emphasised that justice demands that no party should take steps capable of affecting the subject matter of a suit already before the court.

“This is a court of record. If a matter is before the court, justice demands that, without any pronouncement, parties must stay action on all issues related to the case pending the hearing of the substantive suit,” the judge said.

In response, defence counsel assured the court that the defendants had “submitted to the temple of justice” and would not take any step that could jeopardise the fair administration of the case.

The court adjourned the matter to June 3, 2025, for hearing.