An FCT Excessive Courtroom sitting in Kubwa has struck out the N1 billion go well with introduced in opposition to a former Minister of Justice and Lawyer-Basic of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, whereas he was in workplace.
Additionally sued was a civil servant, Ms Asabe Waziri and two others – the workplace of the previous minister and the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The go well with was introduced in opposition to the previous minister in his private capability together with Waziri and the 2 others by an Abuja-based property developer, Mr Cecil Osakwe.
However Justice Oluyemisi Adelaja, on Thursday, struck out the matter, citing lack of diligent prosecution by Osakwe.
“The claimant is the one who filed the motion and is required to be seen diligently prosecuting similar however they aren’t in court docket and there’s no cause for his or her absence earlier than the court docket.
“They’ve, due to this fact, been absent with out cause and consequent upon Order 32 Rule 4, this case is ordered struck out for need of diligent prosecution,’’ Adelaja ordered.
It will be recalled that in June 2022, the Federal Authorities had filed a two-count cost with go well with quantity FCT/HC/CR/244/2022, in opposition to Osakwe for advance price fraud to the tune of N130 million.
The go well with additionally alleged prison intimidation of Waziri, a workers of the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Company, saying that Osakwe had threatened Waziri with harm to her particular person and repute with intent to trigger her hurt and even loss of life.
Waziri was stated to have bought a two-bed property from Osakwe to the tune of N130 million at Maitama, an up-market district of the FCT.
Following the two-count cost in opposition to Osakwe, he proceeded to file a lawsuit in opposition to the erstwhile attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice.
Others joined within the go well with included the Federal Ministry of Justice and Waziri.
By his Counsel, Mr Victor Giwa, Osakwe sought reliefs, together with an order directing Malami to pay the sum of N1 billion to him as punitive harm.
The developer additionally sought an order directing the defendants to pay collectively and severally, the sum of N100 million to him as basic damages.
