Court restrains FG over Lagos property

By Eric Ikhilae, Lagos - 13.03.2008

The Federal Government and its agents have been restrained by a Lagos High Court from further laying claim to a property at number 47 Glover Road in Ikoyi Lagos, which Lagos State government said belongs to her.

The court presided over by Justice Candide-Johnson gave the order on Tuesday while ruling on an application ex-parte filed by the state’s Attorney General and Justice Commissioner for the sate Government.

The action was filed by Lagos upon a dispute which broke out recently between the state and Federal Government over the ownership of the Ikoyi property which, until recently, served as the residence of some judges in the state.

Justice Candide-Johnson also granted an interim injunction for the preservation and custody of the property.

The court specifically restrained “the defendant, his servants, agents, privies or whosoever from remaining in or further entering the property at no. 47, Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.”

The said orders were to last for seven days within which the defendant is expected to file her defence. Further proceeding adjourned to March, 18.

It will be recalled that the property used to house the State Judges until they were recently relocated by the Lagos government to allow for its refurbishment only for some soldiers, acting for the Federal Government to invade the property, claiming ownership.