Court Adjourns Contempt Charge Against Navy Chief

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, has adjourned till 26 May, 2011 the contempt proceedings initiated against the Chief of Naval Staff by Access Bank Plc, as the court was unable to sit.

In an affidavit sworn to by Olugbenga Kusimo, a legal practitioner from the law firm of Kunle Ogunba, SAN, the deponent averred that the court made an order on 18 October, 2010 restraining the Nigerian Navy and the Chief of Naval Staff from tampering with, entering into or taking possession of the property situated at 7, Ojora Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, pending the final determination of the suit filed before the court.

Being aware of the order of the court, it was alleged that the Nigerian Navy and the Chief Naval Staff have continued to disobey the order of the court as his officers are still stationed at the said premises.

Consequent upon the alleged disobedience of the order of the court, Form 48 was dully issued and served on the Chief of Naval Staff on 23 March, 2011. But despite the service of the Form 48, the Chief of Naval Staff has continued to disobey the order of the court by refusing to withdraw his officers from the premises; in contemptuous challenge of the integrity of the court and an attempt to undermine due administration of justice.

Consequently, the deponent averred that in the interest of justice and in accordance with the nation’s laws; an order for committal to prison of the Chief of Naval Staff should be made by the court.

The presiding judge, Justice Olatoregun Ishola has adjourned the matter.

—Akin Kuponiyi