A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday heard that the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria has sold and demolished the former Lagos residences of British Governor-Generals in Nigeria, John Macpherson and Arthur Richards.
Sir Richards was a British colonial administrator who served as the Governor-General from 1943 to 1948, while Sir Macpherson succeeded him from 1948 to 1955.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Babajide Koku, told Justice Ayokunle Faji that the building, located at 27, Femi Okunnu Road (Old Cooper Road), Ikoyi, a national historical monument, was pulled down by an AMCON assignee despite pending litigation over its ownership.
Koku, representing the Applicant, Ehimome Properties Limited, prayed for an order setting aside the “purported sale” of the property by AMCON.
He also sought an order appointing the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar as the property’s receiver/manager pending the determination of a motion seeking to set aside a September 4, 2019 interim order of possession Justice Nicholas Oweibo made in AMCON’s favour with respect to the property and others at home and abroad.
The applicant made his application in suit FHC/L/CS/1129/2019 between AMCON (Receiver/Manager ROCKSON Engineering Company Limited) and Johnson Akinola Arumemi-Ikhide, and Rockson International Group Limited.
Koku, who appeared conditionally for the defendants, informed the court that despite the matter pending in court, AMCON went ahead to assign the property to Otunba Yemi Saheed Lawal and/or Seagle Property Development Limited.
He said the assignees “and/or persons unknown have demolished the property” and were taking steps to erect a new building on the property, which had historical images that had been reserved as part of Nigeria’s historical heritage.
He attached photos of the demolition to the application.
Koku said: “My lord, the people that bought this property have pulled it down and they are erecting a new building on it as we speak.
“On June 12, a bulldozer was mobilised to the site, Number 27, Femi Okunnu Street, Ikoyi, Lagos and it cleared everything there.
“Now they are laying the foundation for another building.
“What impunity can be more than this?
“Despite that we are before my lord and instead of everyone to wait for the outcome of this case, AMCON resorted to self help.
“The last time something like this happened was during military era in Odumegwu Ojukwu vs Lagos State.”
Koku prayed for an order that no work should henceforth proceed on the site pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit and that the preservative order of Justice Oweibo be extended till when the matter is disposed of.
But AMCON’s counsel, Oladoyin Onanuga, opposed him on the ground that granting the order would be prejudicial to AMCON.
In a short ruling, Justice Faji granted the Applicant’s prayer.
He banned AMCON, its buyer or any other agent or personnel from doing anything or carrying out any developments on the site pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Justice Faji also ordered that an order of status quo be pasted on the walls of the property.
He adjourned till July 3 for AMCON to explain its alleged resort to self help.
