The Lagos State High Court in Epe has extended an injunction restraining the Nigerian Navy and the Office of the Chief of Naval Staff from trespassing, destroying, or constructing on lands within the Lekki Coastal Area Development.
This order, initially made by Hon. Justice Animahun in early August, was renewed by Hon. Justice I. O. Harrison on August 28 after the defendants failed to appear in court.
It is reported that the injunction is part of separate lawsuits filed by Incorporated Trustees of Lekki Coastal Area Development Association and Al Gasali Global Ventures Ltd, who accused the Nigerian Navy and the Office of the Chief of Naval Staff of forceful takeover and destruction of property in Origanrigan, Oshoroko, and Lekki in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The court adjourned the case till August 21 for renewal or discharge of the order.
However, following the absence of the defendants on the adjourned date, the court renewed the order and declared that it would be in effect until the hearing of the motion on notice.
This was disclosed in a document by Justice Harrison, “It is hereby ordered that the court observes that in spite of processes, inclusive of the motion on notice and hearing notice on the defendants, they have failed, refused, and neglected to appear in court either personally or through counsel.
“The court has no choice but to further extend the interim order of injunction granted by Animahun J. for a further period. The interim order shall subsist pending the hearing of the motion on notice dated August 9, 2024, which has been served on the defendants.”
The court adjourned the matter till September 17 and ordered that the hearing notice be sent to the defendants again.
