Ann Eniyamire, daughter of the late Justice Moses Bello, who served as President of the Abuja Customary Court of Appeal, has initiated legal action against Reverend Father Ezekiel John Awolumate and Joseph Asuku Bello, the Executive Director of Asset Management at NELMCO. The suit accuses both men of allegedly defying a court order.
Justice M.A. Madugu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Bwari, Abuja, had previously issued an interim injunction on October 14. This order restricts Awolumate and other parties from leasing or selling certain disputed properties in Abuja. Additionally, the court directed security agencies to detain any individuals violating this order. To reinforce compliance, the judge mandated that the properties be marked with red paint, accompanied by a notice reading “NOT FOR SALE / Lis Pendens,” until the case reaches a conclusion.
On October 25, 2024, Eniyamire’s legal representative, Yahuza Maharaz, filed a committal motion, requesting that Awolumate and Bello provide an explanation to the court regarding their actions and why they should not be held in contempt of court. The motion states: “Take notice that this Honourable Court shall be moved on this day of 2024 at the hour of 9 o’clock in the forenoon, or as soon thereafter, as counsel may be heard on behalf of the Claimant, applying to this Honourable Court for an order of Committal of: 1. Rev. Father Ezekiel John Awolumate 2. Mr. Joseph Asuku Bello (Executive Director, Asset Management, NELMCO) to prison for having disobeyed the Orders of Honourable Justice M.A. Madugu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Bwari, dated October 14, 2024.”
In a sworn affidavit, Eniyamire accused the defendants of attempting to sell off a key disputed property located at No. 41 Panama Street, Maitama, Abuja. She stated that she obtained the injunction to prevent any transactions involving these properties while the case is pending. According to Eniyamire, the defendants sought to exploit the court’s vacation period to proceed with the property sale, which she argued could interfere with the court’s ability to resolve the case fairly. “My application for interim orders, which was granted on October 14, 2024, sought to protect the court’s authority and ensure justice,” Eniyamire noted.
The complaint further alleges that despite the court’s directives, Awolumate and Bello persist in their disobedience, even removing the “not for sale” signs placed on the property. “Since the orders were granted, Rev. Father Ezekiel John Awolumate, along with Mr. Joseph Asuku Bello, has continued to disregard the court’s orders. They have removed the ‘NOT FOR SALE / LIS PENDENS’ inscription and even taken down copies of the court’s orders from the property’s entrance,” Eniyamire stated.
To safeguard the court’s authority, Eniyamire argued that Awolumate and Bello should be held accountable. She added, “To maintain the dignity of this Honourable Court and prevent further disregard of its orders, it is necessary to commit Rev. Father Ezekiel John Awolumate and Mr. Joseph Asuku Bello to prison.”
The legal dispute stems from a case filed by Eniyamire against the church and the priest, in which she alleged that her father’s will was not properly executed. According to Eniyamire, her father’s will specified an 11.11% division of his estate among his wife and eight children. However, she claims that Awolumate revised this to a 4.16% share, contrary to her father’s instructions.
Eniyamire has requested that the court invalidate the defendants’ actions and dismiss them from their roles as executors of her father’s will.
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