Court Restrains Ministry From Disposing Assets At Farin Ruwa Hydroelectric Project

A Nasarawa State High Court in Akwanga has ordered the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to halt the disposal of government assets at the Farin Ruwa Hydropower Project site in Wamba local government area of Nasarawa State.

The order followed a motion filed by Jibril Ali, Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Association of Auctioneers, on October 30, urging the court to restrain the ministry from carrying out the sale of the assets.

The court, presided over by Justice Mustapha A. Ramat, on 25th November, ordered the ministry and other defendants in the suit to stay action on the sale of the property until the suit is determined.
Other defendants in the case include the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Ministry of Water Resources of Nasarawa State, and Unknown Auctioneers.

The court, through its Principal Registrar, Idris Mohammed, also wrote to the Director of the Department of State Security Service to enforce compliance with the order.

The Nigeria Association of Auctioneers has accused the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation of disposing of government assets at the Farin Ruwa Hydropower Project site in Nasarawa State in violation of a subsisting court order against such action.

However, the national president of the association, Alhaji Musa Kurra, told journalists in Akwanga that, despite the court order, the ministry has continued to carry out sales of the assets.

Alhaji Kurra alleged that the Ministry has ignored professional, licensed auctioneers, and sidelined statutory requirements for valuation and public bidding. Instead, he engaged in the covert removal of heavy-duty equipment and machinery from the site.

He said the actions amount to an orchestrated stripping of national assets without transparency, accountability, or financial documentation.

He urged the Federal Government to intervene immediately to halt the illegal disposal and investigate the officials involved.

Alhaji Musa Kurra stated that the Nigeria Association of Auctioneers remains committed to supporting lawful and transparent asset disposal processes, but cannot remain silent. At the same time, government property is allegedly sold in secrecy and in contempt of court.

He called on the authorities to restore order, enforce the law, and ensure that Nigeria’s public assets are protected from misuse, mismanagement, and illegal diversion.