The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Judicial Division, sitting in Maitama, has issued an order directing all parties to maintain status quo in respect of a disputed land belonging to the University of Abuja, also known as Yakubu Gowon University.

Ruling on a Motion on Notice dated and filed on July 30, 2026, Justice F. E. Messiri granted leave to the applicant and ordered that all parties should maintain status quo ante bellum in respect of Plot No. 1, Giri District, Abuja, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The judge ruled as follows: “Leave is granted to the Applicant directing all parties to maintain status quo ante bellum in respect of Plot No. 1, Giri District, Abuja, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”

Justice Messiri gave the order last Thursday, August 18, 2026, in Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/3500/2026 with Motion No: FCT/HC/M/12702/2026 filed by the University against the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Ezenwo Wike and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

In the enrolment of court order seen by CITY LAWYER, the University had sought an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the FCT Minister and the FCDA, whether by themselves, their servants, agents, privies or assigns, from trespassing, encroaching, taking possession or interfering with its possessory and proprietary interests in the land known as Plot No. 1, Giri District, Abuja.

Arguing the Motion on Notice, Senior Lawyer and Lead Counsel for UNIABUJA, Mr. Akinwunmi Omisade, told the court that the said land was vested in the university via a Letter of Allocation dating as far back as January 18, 1989.

He prayed the court to restrain the Minister and FCDA from:

• Carrying out, authorising or continuing any construction, development, demolition, excavation or site clearing on the land;
• Allocating, assigning, transferring or creating any legal or equitable interest in favour of any third party over the land;
• Granting consent to, processing or registering any assignment, transfer, sublease or mortgage affecting title to the land, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The order, which was issued under the seal of the court and signed by Principal Registrar, Unachukwu Anthony, effectively stops the FCT Minister and the FCDA from taking any further action on the disputed university land.

The case has been adjourned for hearing of the substantive suit.

Below is the full text of the court order.

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