A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Gwagwalada, Abuja, has fixed the 26th of this month to rule on an application filed by a lawyer, Mr. Maxwell Opara, to commit the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Farouk Yahaya and two others to prison for disobeying court order which restrained them from demolishing Mammy 3, Lungi Building Material Market, Maitama Extension.
Mr. Okpara is also seeking for the immediate resignation of Major General Yahaya for disobeying the order of the Bwari division of the High Court which restrained the Nigeria Army from trespassing and demolishing the market pending the determination of the matter on notice.
Speaking with journalists after the proceeding, Mr. Okpara alleged that there was an agreement between the army and the traders to lease the market for 25 years but that the army reneged on its agreement after 2 years and commenced demolition without explanations.
“Most of them borrowed money from micro finance bank to develop the market and in less than 2 years, he’s now issuing 2 weeks notice to quit the place. We filled action on this particular case and Court gave an interim order asking them to stop but he refused“
All efforts to reach the Managing Director of the Nigerian Army Welfare, Major General SS. Jiya, as at the time of this report proved abortive.
The judge, Justice Yunusa Shafa therefore adjourned until the 26th of this month to rule on the application on why the CoS should not be committed to prison.
Reporting by Ifeoma Nwovu; Editing by Chinasa Ossai