What began as a commercial disagreement over the Apo Resettlement Scheme Market in Abuja is fast becoming a defining moment for the enforcement of judicial authority and the protection of property investors in Nigeria.

At the center of the controversy is the alleged refusal by Manillah Integrated Partners Ltd and AMAC Investment Development Company to comply with a subsisting court order halting construction on the disputed project – an action that raises urgent questions about respect for the rule of law and the safety of public investment.

The dispute traces back to a suit before the FCT High Court, where Justice Yusuf Halilu granted an interlocutory injunction on April 15, 2025, directing all parties involved in the project to cease further work pending the determination of the substantive matter.

The order was not only issued but duly served and visibly enforced at the site, with court bailiffs pasting the directive and marking the premises with a “Stop Work” notice on 28th April 2025. For many observers, that should have marked a pause in all activities and a deference to the judicial process.

Yet, developments on the ground appear to tell a different story. Reports indicate that construction activities have continued despite the court’s directive, with claims that the posted injunction notices were removed and the “Stop Work” inscription erased.

When a team of journalists, in the company of some security personnel, visited the site on 12th May, 2025, it was noticed that not only the construction works on the multi-million naira market project is still ongoing, the documents of the Interlocutory Injunction which were pasted on the administrative wall of the project by the court bailiff have been removed and the “stop work” order written on the walls cleansed.

On 3rd May 2025, a party in the matter, Dr Shuaibu Musari, visited the site to see the level of compliance to the Court Order, but was attacked by the site workers with shovels and other dangerous materials.

If accurate, such actions go beyond mere oversight; they point to a deliberate defiance of judicial authority.

In a country where the courts are constitutionally empowered to interpret and enforce the law, such conduct is not only provocative but also potentially punishable.

Under Nigerian law, disobedience of a court order constitutes contempt of court, an offence that strikes at the heart of the justice system.

The implications for a party found guilty can be severe, ranging from fines to imprisonment, and in some cases, legal setbacks that could influence the outcome of the substantive case itself.

The courts have consistently maintained that their authority must not be undermined, and any proven act of defiance is often met with firm sanctions intended to preserve institutional integrity.

Beyond the courtroom, however, lies a more immediate and human concern – the risk faced by unsuspecting Nigerians who may be investing in the project.

Despite the ongoing litigation and the court’s directive, there are claims that shops within the Apo market are being marketed and sold. This places potential buyers in a precarious position, as any transaction conducted while the property is under judicial dispute may ultimately prove invalid or unenforceable.

Should the court rule against the party undertaking the sales, those who have paid for shops could find themselves entangled in protracted legal battles or, worse, stripped of their investments entirely.

This uncertainty is compounded by the legal doctrine that discourages transactions on properties under litigation, effectively placing a cloud over any such deals. In practical terms, it means that buyers are not just purchasing physical spaces but also inheriting the legal risks attached to them. In a volatile property market, that is a gamble few can afford.
The situation has also taken a troubling turn with reports of violence at the construction site. An alleged attack on representatives of the opposing developer underscores the tension surrounding the project and raises concerns about public safety.

When disputes of this nature escalate beyond legal arguments into physical confrontations, it signals a breakdown in orderly conflict resolution and heightens the urgency for intervention.
For regulators and enforcement agencies, the unfolding events present a critical test. The apparent continuation of work in defiance of a court order suggests gaps not only in compliance but also in enforcement.

It raises the question of whether existing mechanisms are sufficient to ensure that judicial decisions are respected on the ground. The responsibility extends beyond the courts to include administrative authorities and law enforcement bodies tasked with maintaining order and protecting citizens.

Ultimately, the Apo market dispute is shaping up to be more than a disagreement between two developers. It is a reflection of broader systemic issues – how effectively court orders are enforced, how well investors are protected from high-risk ventures, and how seriously the rule of law is taken in practice.

The outcome of this case, and the actions taken in response to the alleged defiance by Manillah Integrated Partners Ltd and AMAC Investment Development Company will likely send a strong signal to both the real estate sector and the wider public.

For now, caution remains the most prudent course for prospective buyers. Until the court reaches a final determination, the project remains legally uncertain, and any financial commitment carries inherent risk. As the judiciary weighs its next steps, the expectation is clear: that the authority of the court will be upheld and that no individual or entity will be allowed to operate above the law.

However, at the resumed hearing, on Thursday April 23, 2026, at the Maitama High Court, Justice Yusuf Halilu, adjourned further hearing of the matter to May 7, 2026, to enable the second claimant AMAC Investment Development Company, serve the defendant, Dr Shuaibu Musari a subpoena.

Counsel to the second claimant Idris Abubakar SAN, has earlier presented a witness, Hassan Ahmed Omale, a legal practitioner, who allegedly prepared a Joint Venture Agreement between Dr Shuaibu Musari and Manillah Integrated Partners Ltd, who is also a third claimant in the case.

Also, Counsel to the first claimant, Dr Shuaibu Musari, Realwan Okpanachi, who was represented by Barr. Godwin, sought the approval of the court to serve an order of contempt – Form 48 and 49, to the second and third claimants (Manillah Integrated Partners Ltd and AMAC Investment Development Company), through substituted means (WhatsApp etc), adding that he has been unable to serve them.

While the presiding Judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, approved that they be served through substituted service, the Counsel to the second claimant, Idris Abubakar, SAN, however received the form 48 and 49 on behalf of the second and third claimants.

What this implies is that Dr Shuaibu Musari has initiated a contempt of court proceedings against Manillah Integrated Partners Ltd and AMAC Investment Development Company for disobeying court order.

Forms 48 and 49 are legal documents used in Nigerian civil procedure to initiate contempt of court proceedings, specifically when a party disobeys a court order. The penalty for disobeying court orders can lead to imprisonment of the contemnor.

Manillah Integrated Partners Ltd was noticeably absent at the resumed hearing.

The first claimant, Dr Shuaibu Musari is seeking a service of an order mandating the second and third claimants to pay N850 million fine for allegedly disregarding the April 2025, interlocutory injunction issued by the court, pending the final determination of the substantive matter.

Will Manillah Integrated Partners Ltd and AMAC Investment Development Company gets away with this contemptuous disregard for the court order? This is up to Justice Yusuf Halilu and the Nigeria Judiciary to determine.

A coalition of civil society groups and student bodies in Kano State has called on former governor Ibrahim Shekarau to withdraw from the race for the Kano Central senatorial ticket, urging party leaders to instead support Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura as a matter of fairness and party loyalty.

The appeal was made at a press briefing held at the Kano Press Centre by the Coalition for Better Kano, alongside allied groups including Concern Kano Citizens, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Kano Axis, the National Association of Kano State Students, and other northern student stakeholders.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, its leader, Inyass Muhammad Auwal, said the groups were closely monitoring political developments surrounding the Kano Central senatorial seat amid speculation that Shekara who recently returned to the party may be considered for the ticket.

“We hold Malam Ibrahim Shekarau in the highest regard as an elder statesman and father figure in Kano politics,” Auwal said. “However, the principles of justice, fairness, and reward for loyalty must guide the party’s decisions.”

The coalition argued that the party should prioritize long-standing loyalists who remained committed during challenging periods, rather than favoring returning members. It cited the recent handling of the gubernatorial ticket awarded to Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna as an example of a decision that preserved internal stability and respected party structure.

According to the groups, two key figures exemplify the sacrifices made for the party’s success: Murtala Sule Garo and AA Zaura. Garo, who served as deputy governorship candidate in the last election, is set to assume office as Deputy Governor, a move the coalition described as “well-deserved and equitable.”

They maintained that with Garo transitioning into the executive arm, AA Zaura who contested for the Kano Central senatorial seat in the previous election should be granted what they described as an “automatic ticket” to recontest the position.

The coalition warned that overlooking Zaura in favor of Shekarau could send a negative message about the party’s commitment to rewarding loyalty.

“To sideline a dedicated party loyalist who invested time, resources, and energy for the party’s growth would amount to political ingratitude,” Auwal stated. “Such a move risks alienating grassroots supporters and undermining trust within the party.”

Addressing Shekarau directly, the coalition urged the former governor to adopt a conciliatory stance and decline any offer of the senatorial ticket in the interest of unity.

“We appeal to him to play a fatherly role by ensuring that justice prevails,” Auwal said. “He should not allow his name to be associated with a decision that could create division or perceptions of unfairness.”

The coalition noted that neither the state government nor party leadership had issued an official statement confirming the rumored ticket allocation. Nevertheless, it said the early intervention was necessary to ensure that any final decision aligns with principles of equity and inclusiveness.

“The youth and students of Kano are watching closely,” Auwal concluded. “Our continued support for the political process depends on the fairness and integrity of those making decisions.”

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In a dramatic political turn, Yakubu Murtala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Kogi State, has issued an emotional public apology to former Governor Yahaya Bello and called for unity – a move that political watchers are linking directly to his reported senatorial ambition under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The statement, signed by Ajaka on 4th May 2026, comes nearly three years after a bitterly contested election that saw APC’s Usman Ododo – Bello’s anointed successor – emerge governor. In it, Ajaka offers a “profound apology” for any offence caused during that clash, declares he has “let go of all grievances,” and extends a hand of “understanding and goodwill” to Bello.

“I wish to state, clearly and sincerely, that those differences were never personal, but driven by the circumstances of the time and the passion for the causes we each represented,” Ajaka wrote. “Where my actions or words may have caused offence, I PROFOUNDLY APOLOGIZE in the spirit of reconciliation.”

The former SDP flagbearer also paused to remember supporters who lost their lives during the electioneering period, praying that “Almighty God grants them eternal rest” – a sombre nod to the violence that marked that political season.

A Sharp Reversal of Fortunes

But for those who track Kogi’s intricate power webs, the apology is less about contrition and more about calculus.

Ajaka, who hails from Kogi East, is widely believed to be angling for a senatorial ticket under the APC – the same party he once fought against. The complication? Yahaya Bello, still a towering force in state politics, has reportedly endorsed another candidate from the same district, setting up a direct collision with Ajaka’s ambition.

“No ambition, no contest, and no individual interest is greater than the peace, stability, and collective advancement of Kogi State,” Ajaka said in his statement – a line that some political analysts interpret as a plea to Bello to reconsider his endorsement.

The former governor has yet to respond publicly to the olive branch.

The Journey of November 2023

Ajaka’s run that year was spirited. Under the SDP banner, he galvanised significant grassroots support, particularly in his home zone, challenging the APC’s grip on the state. The final result was never in serious doubt – Ododo won with a comfortable margin – but the campaign left scars. Relationships frayed, and the Ajaka-Bello rift became personal in the eyes of many supporters.

Now, Ajaka insists those differences were “never personal” but were “driven by the circumstances of the time.”

For critics, the timing is telling. With 2026 already here and preparations for the next electoral cycle underway, Ajaka’s sudden shift toward reconciliation raises questions about whether peace is the goal – or a pathway to power.

“We must remind ourselves that no ambition… is greater than the peace of Kogi State,” Ajaka said, perhaps pre-empting the charge.

What Happens Next?

The ball is now in Bello’s court. If the former governor accepts the apology and withdraws his reported anointed candidate, Ajaka could have a clear run at the APC senatorial ticket. If he does not, this statement may be remembered as a gambit that failed – or a sincere act of statesmanship, depending on who is telling the story.

Ajaka, for his part, insists his focus has moved “from division to unity, from the past to the future.”

“Together, we will move forward,” he concluded.

For now, Kogi East waits to see who will be part of that forward march – and who will be left behind.