AMML clears the air on ‘legal action’ against Wike

The management of Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML) has responded to “contempt proceedings” against the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and others.

On November 8, a section of the media reported that the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Abuja had commenced hearing on Wike’s alleged disregard of a court order.

The crisis rocking the AMML, owned by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), culminated in the shutdown of its head office at Gudu District on November 10.

A detachment of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) sealed up the Adisa Plaza Office of the Market Managers, supposedly on the minister’s directive. The action was also based on the alleged engagement of private armed guards.

Wike had instructed Abubakar Usman Faruk to vacate the office of the Managing Director of AMML having been unanimously relieved of his position by the shareholders on July 17.

The Federal High Court in Abuja earlier on July 11 granted Faruk’s prayers, including recognition as a director, after challenging the legality of the new board.

In late September, when Wike announced the removal of 21 heads of departments, agencies and government-owned companies, Faruk refused to hand over the most senior officer.

In a statement on Monday, AMML Company secretary/legal adviser, Onya Nsor Ojiji, said the reported “contempt proceedings” exist in the imagination of its authors.

“Our attention has been drawn to stories making the rounds to the effect that the National Industrial Court has commenced contempt proceedings against the Honourable FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike and others over alleged disobedience of a court order in respect of a matter surrounding the headship of Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML).”

“We have been duly informed by our legal counsel and we would like to state categorically that there is no such contempt proceeding against the FCT Minister or any other AICL/AMML staff at the National Industrial Court as the suit referred to in the publications has been reassigned to another Judge and will start afresh [de novo].

“Any contrary information with regards to this can only be a figment of the author’s imagination and should be disregarded,” the clarification added.

The Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court presided over by Magistrate Huzaifa Maccido had on November 2 dismissed Faruk’s request seeking the declaration of the operations of AMML and its staff as unlawful.

“The purported letter of dismissal attached by the Complainant/Respondent as EXHIBIT AMML A is dated 31st Day of July, 2023 while the signatory to the letter who is one Abubakar Usman Faruk sacked by the owners of the Complainant vide EXHIBIT 4 attached by the Defendants/Objectors,” it reads in part.

“The said EXHIBIT 4 is dated 17th July, 2023. I agree that as at the time the 4th defendant was purportedly sacked, Mr. Abubakar Usman Faruk had no power to do so having been sacked on 17/7, 2023,” Maccido ruled.