A Federal High Court in Lagos has directed all parties to maintain status quo antebellum in a suit involving the alleged forceful eviction of a tenant by police authorities.
The order was issued on Wednesday during a hearing in a case brought by Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Ogedi Ogu, who is representing Mr Vincent Uba. Uba is seeking protection against alleged unlawful arrest, harassment, and eviction over a tenancy dispute.
Joined in the suit are the Administrator-General and Public Trustee of Oyo State, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone II, Onikan, Lagos, CSP Uba Adams, SP Dahiru Ango (Officer in Charge of the Zonal Oracle Unit), Insp Jonas Jatau, the Police Service Commission, and Vivastar Nigeria Ltd.
During the proceedings, counsel for the applicant presented an ex parte motion with an accompanying affidavit of urgency, urging the court to restrain the respondents from further action.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ruled that in the interest of justice, all parties must maintain the existing state of affairs pending the final determination of the suit. He adjourned the matter to 26 November for hearing and ordered that hearing notices be served on the respondents.
In the application, Uba is asking the court to declare his arrest and detention by the police on 28 May as unconstitutional. He contends that his arrest stemmed from tenancy issues related to his residence at No. 5, Association Avenue, Ilupeju, Lagos, and was allegedly instigated by the first and eighth respondents.
He also alleges that his residence was illegally blocked with sharp sand and granite, infringing on his right to movement and dignity, without any court order or due process.
Uba is seeking ₦50 million in damages against the respondents for alleged violations of his rights to fair hearing, freedom of movement, and dignity of the human person.
In his affidavit, he asserts that he has been a lawful tenant in a three-bedroom flat at the said property since 2015. He was allegedly invited to the police station on 26 May and later detained on 28 May following a petition by the respondents, which claimed the property had been sold.
According to Uba, the police allegedly pressured him to sign documents under duress, and when he refused, he was threatened with forceful eviction. He further claims that his lawyer was harassed during the process.
The applicant maintains that he and his family have been subjected to severe hardship following the blockade of their apartment entrance.
(NAN)