The Enforcement Unit of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Friday, March 7, 2025, carried out an eviction Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi from a rented property in Maitama, Abuja.
The eviction Senator Afikuyomi, who was a member of the Senate from 1999 to 2007, is to enable the landlord, Prince Samson Ataiyero take possession of the property comprising a three-bedroom duplex with two-bedroom bungalow/guest chalet and two-room boys’ quarters, situated at No 33, Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.
The two-hour operation, which began at about 10:20am, ended at about 12:20 pm, was led by Hajiya Mariam Lawal, who was armed with a writ/warrant of possession of the premises issued by Justice Christopher O. Oba, dated March 3, 2025.
The writ/warrant was first pasted on the heavy black gate of the premises before the team, comprising of no fewer than 20 young men, who were mobilised for the eviction operation, gained entry into the premises and thereafter into the buildings.
Senator Afikuyomi was not at home at the time of the operation, but his security guard, one Yakubu, was around.
Dr Mamud, who introduced himself as Senator Afikuyomi’s lawyer to Hajiya Mariam Lawal, Head of the Enforcement Unit, arrived at the premises after all the belongings of the former Senator had virtually been evacuated from the premises.
The Enforcement Unit ensured that the belongings were carefully removed and deposited outside the premises of the property.
Similarly, Afikuyomi’s three Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), to wit: a black Toyota Prado Jeep with Registration number- LND 185 GZ, a black GMC Delani with number- EPE 777 EL and a black Ford with Number -STA 0310, were towed from the premises to the premises of the FCT High Court.
This was as his sound-proof Cat Generator was lifted with a crane and conveyed by a truck to the Court premises.
An inventory of the property attached by the Court by reason of Writ of Attachment issued by the Court was given to Afikuyomi’s Security, Mr. Yakubu at the instance of his lawyer, Dr Mamud, after both parties endorsed the list.
Dr Mamud, who was visibly angry, said the action would give rise to a long-drawn legal battle, but, could not fault the writ of attachment or warrant of possession, which was issued by Justice C. O. Oba of the FCT High Court on the basis of a consent judgement entered between parties since November 18, 2024 wherein Senator Afikuyomi undertook to pay the outstanding rents, vacate and deliver vacant possession of the premises on or before February 28, 2025.
Senator Afikuyomi had commenced a suit against Prince Ataiyero at the FCT High Court vide Originating Motion filed on July 8, 2024, contesting the Arbitral Award earlier made against him, wherein he sought five reliefs:
- An order of this court setting aside the award of the sole arbitrator, Miriam Selai Kombo-Ezeh, Esq, made on the 21st of June, 2024 in its entirety for being extremely unjust due to overt acts of bias of the registry and Sole Administrator;
- An order of this Honourable Court discharging the applicant from all and any obligation under the arbitral proceedings and the award made by the sole Arbitrator;
- An order of this Honourable Court dismissing the claims of the respondent in its entirety for lacking in merit;
- An injunction restraining the respondent from commencing or taking any step to commence any action or proceeding within Nigeria and anywhere else for the purpose of registration, recognition or enforcing the Arbitral Award of the Sole Administrator, Miriam Selai Kombo-Ezeh, Esq, made on the 21st day of June, 2024 in its entirety;
- And for such further orders the Honourable Court may deem fit in the circumstance.
However, the Respondent (Prince Atayero), in opposing the application, had on July 23, 2024, filed a 28-paragraph counter affidavit and a written address in compliance with the rules of the court.
Following external interventions, parties resolved to settle their issues amicably and upon resolution, they reduced their terms into writing; said terms which were filed before Court 29 Apo, presided over by Honourable Justice Christopher O. Oba and adopted as Consent Judgement between Parties.
In the Certified True Copy of the judgement sighted by our Forefront News, Justice Oba noted that on November 18, 2024, the parties informed the court that they had reached an agreement to settle their dispute amicably in accordance with the terms of settlement filed on November 13, 2024 by the parties reproduced hereunder ad seriatim:
- That notwithstanding arbitral award entered between parties on 21st June, 2024, following a plea for extension of the tenancy by the applicant, parties resolved to renew the tenancy relationship between them for yet a period of 1 year, 6 months, beginning from the period of the expiration of the last lease; said extension which commenced from 1st September, 2023 and shall expire on 28th February, 2025.
- That the applicant shall deliver vacant possession of the respondent’s property, a three (3) bedroom duplex with two (2) bedroom bungalow guest chalet; two (2) room boys’ quarter (BQ); serviced with air conditioners and swimming pool and all its appurtenances, located at No. 33, Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama, Abuja on /before 28th February, 2025.
- That where there arose any unavoidable situation or cogent and compelling reason that made it impracticable for the applicant to vacate the property and deliver vacant possession as per these terms of settlement by 28th February, 2025, a further extension of the tenancy for a period not exceeding 5 months shall be granted to the applicant, which will expire 31st July, 2025.
- That the applicant shall pay to a bank as may be provided by the respondent or his counsel, the sum of twelve million naira (N12,000,000), representing the current rent of the property for a period of 1 year and being arrears of rent on or before 30th November, 2024, whilst the balance of six million Naira (N6,000,000) would be paid on or before 31st of January, 2025.
- In the case of any further extension as provided for by clause C above, the rent will be prorate(d) based on the subsisting tenancy and the monies be paid on or before 31st May, 2025.
- Notwithstanding the above payment proposition, the applicant reserves the right to make the whole payment once and for all.
These were the terms that were adopted as consent judgement between the parties.
Information pieced together indicated that Senator Afikuyomi failed to meet the terms of the consent judgement, which his law firm prepared and which he personally signed, a development that led to the eviction
It was also gathered that the eviction was sequel to an application to the court for enforcement of the judgement made by Lawyers to the Respondent (Landlord), Prince Samson A. Ataiyero.
