General
Residents Sue Managers of Diamond Estate Lagos
By Dipo Olowookere
Property owners and residents of Diamond Estate in Ajah area of Lagos have sued the estate’s management at an Epe High Court.
They are alleging breach of agreement on provision of social facilities reached when they purchased land for their buildings.
Hearing of the suit was, however, stalled due to absence of the defence.
The suit was filed through a Writ of Summons by Mr. Faustinus Brai, on behalf of himself and other property owners and residents of Diamond Estate, Sangotedo, Lagos through their counsel, Johnson Bryant.
The second claimant in the suit before Justice Ganiyu Safari is Incorporated Trustees of Diamond Estate Property Owners and Residents Association.
The first and second defendants in the suit are Femab Properties Limited and Diamond Estate Limited respectively.
Although the suit was scheduled for mention, neither the defendants nor their counsel was present in court.
Counsel to the claimants, Paul Olaniyi told the court that he was surprised at the absence of the defence who he said promised to be in court or send a representative, having constantly reminded him of the date for hearing of the suit.
Olaniyi however drew the attention of the court to the issue of the ‘res’ which he said has been tampered with by the defendants.
“The defendants have tampered with the’res’ by leasing a part of the project to a network provider which has installed a mast at the site provided in the residential area.
“My Lord, the defendants have continue to trample on the rights of the occupiers and do not care for their welfare”, he told the court.
Asked by the court, Olaniyi said claimants have opted for trial, having concluded CMC and explored Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR ) without success.
The registrar, on enquiry by trial judge, said counsel to the defendants called him, seeking for adjournment of the matter to a date in January.
The claimants are asking the court for a declaration that the first and second claimants are entitled to all facilities represented by the first defendants and an order for the provision of all outstanding facilities detailed in the first defendant in its ‘offer prospectus’ and that the facilities shall comply with acceptable international standards.
In the alternative, they asked the court for an order appointing a project manager who shall be responsible for the appointment and supervision of contractors for the provision of the outstanding facilities in compliance with acceptable standards and for same to be at the full expense of the first defendant, Femab Properties Limited.
In addition, they asked the court for a declaration that the second claimant, as a trustee to the beneficial property owners and residents of the Diamond Estate, Sangotedo, Ajah, Lagos are at liberty to decide who manages the joint facilities in the estate and that the unilateral appointment of the second defendant by the first defendant, without the authority of the first claimant and other property owners is ab initio, null and void.
They asked the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the second defendant from providing estate management services for Diamond Estate directing and directing the company to vacate the facilities and the estate.
They also want the court to order the first defendant to give an account of all monies paid on behalf of and received from all members of the second claimant.
In their 28 paragraph statement of claim, they averred that the second defendant has consistently shown lack of expertise, ability and capability in managing the facilities in Diamond Estate and left a lot to be desired by the residents and that in a bid to ensure efficient management of the facilities and pursuant to their constitution, have indicated interest in taking over their management as trustees to its members.
Rather, they said the second defendant unilaterally sub-contracted the facilities management of Diamond Estate to Horty Benade Company.
They averred that they have been grossly disappointed and dissatisfied with the services offered by the second defendant despite meetings held with first and second defendants to register their grievances regarding their services and that in a bid to ensure accountability with regard to service charge for estate facilities maintenance, previously paid to second defendant, they resolved at a meeting, to pay the said service charge to the second claimant’s bank account.
They said that prior to that, the first claimant and other property owners had been paying their service charge to the second defendant through the first defendant.
They said that they allowed themselves to be persuaded by the first defendant to allow the management of the estate’s facilities by the second defendant notwithstanding its unilateral appointment and engagement by the first defendant.
According to them, the first defendant has till date continually refused and failed to provide most of the facilities as represented in its offer prospectus despite consistent entreaties made to this effect by the second claimant to the first defendant, while those provided are yet to be completed.
They contended that since their resolve to cede maintenance of the estate facilities to the second claimant, it has by virtue of its constitution registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, reserves the power to manage the affairs of the estate.
However, the defendants, in their joint statement of defence and counter claims, while admitting the averments of the claimants in paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 20 denied paragraphs 2, 3, 8, 12 to19 and 21 to 26.
The defendants, challenged the claimants to produce the originals of the documents in their possession that are relevant to the suit in court.
They expressed surprise at the suit and averred that it was to embarrass and sabotage their business and contended that the claimants are not entitled to any of the relief sought from the court.
They contended that the action of the claimants “is frivolous, vexatious, embarrassing, unfounded, gold digging and should be dismissed with substantial cost.
They argued that contrary to the claims of the claimants, the right to manage Diamond Estate was irrevocably vested in the first defendant in line with code of conduct duly executed by all the property owners.
While contending that they have capacity and personnel to manage facilities provided in the estate prudently and efficiently, they also alleged that the claimants have been forcing the residents of the estate to be paying service charge to them and thereby frustrating their effort to meet its obligation to the residents.
The defendants claimed to have been transparent in its dealing with the residents with regards to spending of service charges received from them and rendering account to the property owners and residents consistently, even when they did not demand for them.
They denied ever holding any meeting with the second claimants but only with the residents of the estate to discuss issues of their welfare.
They averred that the first claimant registered the second claimant without their knowledge and consent and property owners of the estate.
They further averred in their counter claim that the name that was approved by residents of Diamond Estate to be registered at a meeting held November 2015 was Diamond Owners Association.
Justice Safari has adjourned the matter to December 5 for trial, having obtained the commitment of the claimants’ counsel to inform the defence of the new trial date.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A petition has been filed against the chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Ahmed Farouk.
The petition was written by the president of the Dangote Group, Mr Aliko Dangote, to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Mr Dangote asked the agency to look into the finances of the head of the petroleum industry regulator, alleging the man is living far above his legitimate means as a public officer.
In the protest letter filed by his legal counsel, Mr Ogwu Onoja (SAN), the businessman claimed the NMDPRA chief spent over $7 million to educate his children, four in number, in Switzerland.
The petition, dated and submitted on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, and received by the office of the ICPC Chairman, also claimed that Mr Ahmed paid upfront for a six-month period, without any lawful source of income to justify such expenditure.
It also alleged that NMDPRA boss used his office to siphon and divert public funds for personal gain and private interests, actions which he claimed had fuelled public outrage and recent protests by various groups.
“That Engr Farouk Ahmed has grossly abused his office contrary to the extant provisions of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and, in doing enmeshed himself in monumental corruption and unlawful spending of Public funds running into millions of dollars.
“That Engr Farouk Ahmed spent without evidence of lawful means of income humongous amount of money of over 7million dollars of Public funds, for the education of his four children in different schools in Switzerland for a period of six years upfront,” a part of the petition read.
“It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment and embezzlement are gross acts of corrupt practices for which your Commission is statutorily empowered under Section 19 of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute,” another part added.
“Any public officer who uses his office or position to gratify or confer any corrupt or unfair advantage upon himself or any relation or associate of the public officer or any other public officer shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for five (5) years without option of fine,” it reminded the ICPC, urging it to act decisively by investigating the allegations against Mr Ahmed and prosecuting him if found culpable, stressing that the matter is already in the public domain, as this would help uphold justice and protect the image of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Mr Dangote promised to provide evidence to substantiate his allegations of corrupt enrichment, abuse of office and impunity against the NMDPRA chief when required.
By Adedapo Adesanya
A former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, has died at the age of 71.
Justice Muhammad reportedly passed away at a hospital in Saudi Arabia, about two weeks before his 72nd birthday, which would have fallen on December 31.
His death was confirmed on Tuesday in Abuja by the Bauchi State Governor, Mr Bala Mohammed, in a condolence message issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Mukhtar Gidado.
Governor Mohammed noted that Justice Muhammad was a distinguished son of Bauchi State whose life and career were marked by dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law.
“The late jurist was a venerable and accomplished legal icon who rose through the ranks of the judiciary with diligence and distinction, serving as a Judge of the High Court, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice of the Supreme Court, and ultimately as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 2019 to 2022,” he said.
According to the governor, Justice Muhammad was widely respected for his legal acumen, discipline, and immense contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria’s judicial system.
He added that the conferment of the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on the late jurist was a testament to his outstanding service to the nation.
Mr Mohammed extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, his friends, colleagues in the legal profession, and the people of Bauchi State and Nigeria as a whole.
Also, the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS) lauded the former jurist in its condolence message.
In the statement titled NAMLAS Condolence Message on the Passing of Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, the association described his death as a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary and the nation.
“The Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students receives with profound sorrow the news of the passing of Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, former Chief Justice of Nigeria. His demise is a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim Ummah, and the nation at large.”
NAMLAS described the late jurist as a towering figure of integrity, humility and unwavering commitment to justice, noting that throughout his judicial career, he exemplified fairness, courage and fidelity to the rule of law.
The association said that as Chief Justice of Nigeria, Muhammad discharged his responsibilities with wisdom and restraint, leaving behind a legacy that would continue to guide generations of legal practitioners.
Beyond his judicial service, NAMLAS highlighted his role as a mentor to young Muslim law students across the country, describing him as a fatherly figure and a source of encouragement.
“To NAMLAS, the late Chief Justice was more than a jurist; he was a fatherly pillar and a source of encouragement to Muslim law students nationwide,” the statement said.
The association extended its condolences to the family of the deceased, the Nigerian judiciary, the Federal Government and the Muslim Ummah, while praying for the repose of his soul.
Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 2019 until his retirement in 2022.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) are strengthening their collaboration to combat the diversion of petroleum products intended for domestic use and to safeguard Nigeria’s energy security.
This renewed partnership was highlighted during a meeting between Comptroller General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi and the NMDPRA Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, at Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.
During the engagement, Mr Adeniyi reaffirmed the service’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency cooperation, particularly in safeguarding Nigeria’s domestic energy security and ensuring that petroleum products meant for local consumption are not diverted to neighbouring countries.
He noted that collaboration between both agencies had already produced measurable results, especially through Operation Whirlwind, which he described as a model for intelligence sharing, joint enforcement and coordinated field operations.
He said the Nigeria Customs Service remains fully aligned with ongoing reforms in the petroleum regulatory space and will continue to provide technical input, operational feedback and border management expertise to support the implementation of new guidelines being developed by the NMDPRA.
He commended the Authority for its efforts to harmonise legacy processes with the Petroleum Industry Act, stressing that clear and efficient export point procedures are essential as Nigeria moves from being a net importer to an emerging exporter of petroleum products.
“We welcome every initiative that strengthens energy security and ensures that the gains made in reducing cross border diversion are not reversed. Our shared responsibility is to protect national interest, support legitimate trade and maintain a transparent system that stakeholders can rely on. We will continue to work closely with sister agencies to achieve these outcomes,” he stated.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, Mr Ukoha, said the NMDPRA enjoys a longstanding and productive working relationship with the Nigeria Customs Service, noting that Operation Whirlwind remained the high point of that collaboration.
He explained that both agencies deployed personnel, exchanged intelligence and jointly monitored petroleum products in border corridors, leading to a marked reduction in cross border diversion.
Ukoha said the purpose of the visit was to brief the CGC on newly developed guidelines for designating export points for petroleum products as Nigeria’s refining capacity expands.
He said the NMDPRA is engaging key institutions, including Customs, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Nigerian Navy, to ensure the guidelines reflect operational realities before implementation.
The NMDPRA executive recalled several field operations and strategic engagements with the Customs leadership, including the joint launch of Operation Whirlwind in Yola, where both agencies reinforced their commitment to curbing diversion and securing the domestic supply chain.
He added that while enforcement had played a major role in reducing irregular movements of petroleum products, the removal of fuel subsidy had significantly reduced the economic incentive for cross border smuggling.
According to him, the authority will continue to work closely with the Customs Service to sustain progress and ensure that petroleum exports are properly regulated without exposing the country to energy security risks.
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