ABUJA-BASED FIRM FILES N5BN LAWSUIT AGAINST NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS OVER ALLEGED UNLAWFUL SHUTDOWN

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By: Muftau Fatimo

Abuja-based company, Stone Rockers Limited, has filed a N5 billion lawsuit against the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), accusing the agency of unlawfully shutting down its operations and seizing its equipment.

The company in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2412/2025, is seeking an order of the court to compel the NSCDC to pay it the amount as damages for the illegal shutdown of its operations and unlawful seizure of its equipment.

The suit instituted by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Olalekan Ojo, has NSCDC, its Commandant General and one Attah John Onoja as defendants.

Brought under Order 3 Rule 6 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedures, the plaintiff among others complained that the defendants engaged in arbitrary abuse of their statutory powers by sealing up its quarry site without lawful order of any court.

The sealed quarry site is said to be legally covered by Quarry Lease No. 37326 at plot FL-109 Cadastral Zone, Gaube Farmland Layout, Barmishi Village, Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The alleged unlawful shutdown of the company was said to have been carried out on July 24, 2025, based on allegations of encroaching on a portion of land belonging to another company, Lord Career Ventures Nigeria Limited.

The plaintiff alleged that the defendants forcefully invaded the company and carted away its properties without order of court.

It therefore prayed the court to declare as ultra vires, arbitrary and abuse of statutory powers, the shutdown of its operations without a valid order of court

The plaintiff also requested a declaration that the August 16, 2025 confiscation of its properties was illegal, unlawful, and an arbitrary interference with its right to conduct business.

To recover losses from the alleged forceful takeover of its site, the company sought a court order requiring the three defendants to pay N5 billion in damages.

Additionally, the firm demanded an injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, and associates from further interference with its operations, along with an order compelling the restoration of all confiscated equipment. It also requested a directive allowing the company to resume its legitimate operations without any obstruction or disturbance from the defendants or anyone acting on their behalf.

The case has been assigned to Justice Mohammed Garuba Umar and is scheduled for hearing on May 19, 2026.