Abuja Investments/AMML Tussle: Stop the impunity now, FCT Perm Sec urged

By Carl Umegboro

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA), Mr. Olusade Adesola has been called upon for urgent intervention in the disputes attempting to tear the Federal Capital Territory apart.

The clarion call followed the unceasing war, lawlessness and self-helps being deployed by some interested persons in the protracted tussle between the two companies under the control of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) namely; Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL) and Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML) is speedily getting out of control if appropriate restraints are not deployed.

In a press briefing by the Legal Adviser/Company Secretary of Abuja Markets Management Ltd, Barrister Felix Abu Edache yesterday in Abuja over looming chaos following ceaseless threats and ongoing acts of impunity by some persons resorting to self-helps, the legal adviser said the continuous acts of impunity and lawlessness of some persons believed to be agents of the Group Managing Director of Abuja Investments Limited, Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Maina have made it imperative, compelling to alert the public particularly the relevant authority over safety and security of management and staff of Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML).

“It has become imperative to get you informed of some sordid events currently putting the survival of AMML, its staff, security and wellbeing of our markets in jeopardy”, Barrister Abu stated.
According to leaders of some of the markets under the control of the Abuja Market Management Limited (AMML), the protracted tussles between the helmsman of the holding company and that of the subsidiary company has continued to instill fears, anxiety following deadly threats from a quarter.

“We are living in fears in the market knowing that whenever two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers”, one of the market leaders lamented while calling on the relevant authority for urgent intervention.
Explaining on measures put so far towards resolving the conflict, the legal Adviser said that when all efforts to resolve through the alternative dispute resolution mechanism failed, that the Managing Director of Abuja Market Management Limited (AMML), Alhaji Abubakar Usman Faruk approached the National Industrial Court over attempts to arbitrarily push him away from office as the helmsman of the company, and later filed a second action at the Federal High Court, Abuja judicial Division.

In the first action filed at the Federal High Court with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/499/2023, the presiding judge, Hon Justice D.U. Okorowo entered judgment in favour of the Claimant/Applicant, *Alhaji Abubakar Usman Faruk* against Abuja Markets Management Ltd; Abubakar Sadiq Maina; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants respectively.

The court also gave a restraining order against the (4) four defendants from carrying on their planned acts particularly the plot to arbitrarily push away the claimant/Applicant from office as MD/CEO of AMML.
In similar vein, in the suit filed at the National Industrial Court with number: NICN/ABJ/62/2023, the court presided by Hon Justice R. B. Haastrup gave a concurring judgment in favour of the claimant, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Faruk affirming him as the substantive MD/CEO of Abuja Markets Management Ltd (AMML), and categorically gave restraining orders against Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA); Abuja Markets Management Ltd; and Abuja Investments Company Ltd as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants respectively.

The court then ruled among others giving restraining orders against the GMD of Abuja Investments Company Ltd (AICL) stopping him and his agents from carrying out actions in the manner they have done and further intend to do against AMML and her MD/CEO.

“The pieces of evidence before this court confirm the facts deposed to by the Applicant and all point to some level of hostility by the Group managing Director of the 4th Defendant”, the judge stated.

To restore normalcy in the circumstance, the legal adviser expressed optimism that the Permanent Secretary could proficiently resolve the squabbles from his efforts so far despite the fact that the defendants in the matter have resorted to impunity, lawlessness and arrogance even against the orders of the court of justice.

“We are confident that the Permanent Secretary and the entire management of the Federal Capital Development Administration will intervene swiftly to resolve the issues at stake, going by the efforts he has put so far”, Barrister Abu stated.

He added that the appropriate thing to do if for any reason uncomfortable with the judgment and orders of the court of justice is to appeal the judgment and present their grievances to the court, and not to resort to acts that could lead to breakdown of laws and order in the society.

He pointed out that the Abuja Markets Management Ltd is saddled with enormous critical responsibilities including organizing and controlling markets in the FCT, health compliance, and therefore, that any distraction of the company will lead to many costly losses including in revenue generation to FCT as well as ensuring that the markets are well organized with all necessary facilities utilized accordingly.