The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside a judgment that would have compelled the Adamawa State Government to pay $35.6 million to Senator Ned Munir Nwoko. The appellate court’s ruling effectively nullified an earlier decision of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court delivered in favour of the lawmaker.
The dispute stemmed from a default judgment granted by the FCT High Court, followed by an Order Nisi directing banks across the country to freeze Adamawa State Government accounts to recover the alleged debt. The move sparked concerns over possible disruption to the state’s finances and public services.
In response, the Adamawa State Government filed three separate appeals challenging both the garnishee order and the lower court’s refusal to grant a stay of execution. The appeals were heard on December 2, 2025, and judgment was delivered on February 10, 2026, with the appellate court allowing all three appeals.
The court further ordered that the matter be remitted to the FCT High Court for a retrial, reopening arguments on the substantive issues of the claim. In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor described the judgment as a relief, noting that the state had been spared what could have been one of its heaviest financial liabilities.
While the retrial will determine the merits of the case, the ruling has, for now, shielded Adamawa from paying the $35.6 million or its naira equivalent, pending fresh proceedings before the lower court.