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Nestoil: Police refuse Bailiffs access to Nestoil premises as Lagos CP’s illegalities escalate
Concerns have been raised over the handling of police operations connected to the ongoing legal dispute involving Nestoil Group and FBNQuest, with critics warning that recent actions by the Lagos State Police Command could undermine public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
It was indicate that court bailiffs who visited the Lagos premises of Nestoil Group on Tuesday morning to serve an order issued by Justice R.N. Ofili Ajumogobia were denied access by armed police officers stationed at the location. The officers were said to have insisted that no court official would be allowed into the building without clearance from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh Moshood.
Sources familiar with the case allege that the police deployment contradicts interim orders issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja regarding the disputed property, which is claimed by Drawcok Estates Ltd. According to court documents, Drawcok Estates Ltd—represented by senior advocates Kehinde Ogunwumiu, SAN, and Ademola Abimbola, SAN—requested judicial protection over the properties located at 4 Nyasa Close, Maitama, Abuja, and 41/42 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In a ruling delivered on 24 November 2025 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2385/2025, Justice Ofili Ajumogobia affirmed the applicant’s right to possess the properties and held that their previous sealing by security operatives amounted to an infringement of property rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The judge ordered the respondents—including the Nigerian Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police—to vacate the properties and provide security to enable Drawcok Estates Ltd to regain possession. The court further restrained the respondents from denying the applicant access to the premises or engaging in acts that could constitute harassment.
Despite the court’s pronouncements, stakeholders allege that a significant number of police officers remain attached to Mr. Sulu Gambari, who has described himself as a receiver-manager appointed in a related matter previously handled by Justice Isaac Dipeolu. Critics argue that continued police protection for Gambari contradicts the recent directive by the Federal Government mandating the withdrawal of police escorts from private citizens and VIPs, except under approved circumstances.
Questions have also been raised about the legality of the police presence at the Nestoil Tower property, which Drawcok Estates Ltd claims to have owned since 2012 based on documentation reportedly filed with the Lagos State Land Registry.
Observers note that it previously took several days for the police to comply with an order vacating Gambari’s earlier appointment, raising further concerns about adherence to judicial directives.
As at the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued an official response to the allegations or provided clarification regarding the deployment of officers to the disputed premises.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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