Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Minna High Court IV has issued an interim order restraining the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago and five others from entering or conducting any activity on a disputed farmland belonging to Bello Wakili and nine members of his family.
The interim injunction will remain in force pending the final determination of a suit filed against the governor and others by the plaintiffs.
The suit, numbered NSHC/MN/215/2025, was filed by Barrister Solomon Ogbeche on behalf of the ten plaintiffs. It seeks to stop the governor and other defendants from trespassing or interfering with the farmland located along Tagwai Dam in Bosso Local Government Area of the state.
Other defendants in the suit include:
- The Niger State Government
- The Ministry of Lands, Niger State
- The Commissioner for Lands
- The Ministry of Justice and Attorney General of Niger State
- Niger Foods Limited
In the interim ruling, Justice Mohammed directed all six defendants to cease any form of work or development on the disputed land until the substantive motion is heard and determined.
Despite the court’s clear directive, the plaintiffs allege that the defendants have continued to flout the order. This prompted Barrister Ogbeche to file a contempt suit, urging the court to commit the defendants to correctional custody for disobeying a lawful order.
The court has adjourned the matter to July 16, 2025, for a hearing on the motion on notice.
By Uthman Baba-Sirajdeen, Minna
