Ann Eniyamire is the daughter of the late Justice Moses Bello, who was President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Abuja. She has asked Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf, who is the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, to stop someone from carrying out her father’s will.
Eniyamire says that Rev. Father Ezekiel Awolumate, who is in charge of carrying out her father’s will, and some court officials are working together to speed up a case that aims to stop the sale of her father’s property. Even though the defendants were not allowed to sell or rent out the disputed properties because of a temporary injunction, Eniyamire says that Awolumate and another defendant, Joseph Asuku Bello, have continued to ignore court orders.
An interim injunction was granted by the High Court on October 14. It told security companies to arrest anyone who broke the order and put up a “Not For Sale/Lis Pendens” sign and red paint on the properties that were in dispute. Eniyamire has also charged Awolumate with contempt, saying that he broke the law and should go to jail.
The fight is about carrying out Justice Bello’s will, which said that his wife and eight children would each get 11.11 percent of the estate. But Eniyamire says Awolumate changed the formula to 4.16%, which is not what her father told her to do.
Section 36(1) & (2) (a),(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) says that Eniyamire wants the Chief Judge to make sure that his position is not used to hurt justice and a fair hearing in this case.
Background
Before he died, Justice Moses Bello was the head of the Customary Court of Appeal in Abuja. Ann Eniyamire, his daughter, has been trying to execute his will, which she says was changed by Rev. Father Ezekiel Awolumate, who is in charge of carrying it out.
Proceedings in court
The defendants are not allowed to sell or rent out the disputed homes until the High Court issues an interim injunction. Eniyamire has also charged Awolumate with contempt, which means he is breaking the law, and wants to put him in jail.
Ask the Chief Judge to do something
Eniyamire has asked the Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf, to look into a plan to stop her father’s will from being carried out. She says that Awolumate and some court employees are working together to speed up the case.
Help Sought for
Eniyamire wants the following things to happen:
Her demands include a statement that she is entitled to 11.11% of her father’s assets, an order freeing Awolumate and Bello from their duties as executors, and an order telling the defendants to account for and hand over all necessary documents about the administration, management, and distribution of her father’s estates. She also wants N500 million in general damages.
What It Means
How will this case end? It will have big effects on how wills are carried out and how justice is done in Nigeria. Maintaining the rule of law is very important, and this shows how important it is for estate management to be open and accountable.
In conclusion
The fight over Justice Moses Bello’s will has changed course since Eniyamire asked the Chief Judge to step in. There are important questions about the fairness of the justice system and the safety of people’s rights that this case brings up.
Timetable
On October 14, the High Court issued a temporary injunction that stopped the defendants from selling or renting out the disputed properties. On October 25, Eniyamire filed a contempt charge against Awolumate, asking the court to jail him for not following the orders. In November, the judge is expected to rule on the contempt charge.
Analysis
The case shows how complicated it is to handle an estate and how hard it is for people to get their rights. It also shows how important it is for judges to be honest and for the legal system to be open to everyone.
What Happens
Numerous people, including lawyers and the public, are very interested in the case. A lot of people have praised Eniyamire for her bravery in trying to follow her father’s will and protect the law.
What to Do Next
The case is likely to go on in court, and there could be appeals and other civil action. There will be big effects on how justice is done in Nigeria because of the result.
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