A federal high court sitting in Abuja has ordered Arab Contractors (OAO) Nigeria Limited to immediately vacate the portion of the Centenary Economic City Free Zone which it forcefully and illegally occupied.

The court also declared that Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority has the exclusive powers to manage and administer Centenary Economic City free zone to the exclusion of the FCDA, FCTA and Min of FCT.

The court also awarded the sum of N100 million against Arab Contractors for the invasion and destruction of the free zone’s master plan.

Justice I.E. Ekwo gave the orders while delivering judgment in a suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/2130/2022, filed by the lawyer of Centenary Economic City Free Zone, owners of the 1,264-hectare free trade zone located along the Abuja airport road, Nkemakolam Okoro, Esq.

The court upheld all declaratory and injunctive reliefs sought by the free zone owners, declaring the forceful takeover of any portion of the land by Arab Contractors without approval from the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) as unconstitutional, unlawful, and illegal.

The court restrained the Minister of FCT, Federal Capital Development Authority and other agencies of the FCT administration from exercising any control over the free trade zone or interfering in its administration and regulation by NEPZA.

Justice Ekwo, further declared that as a designated free zone under NEPZA regulation, no federal, state, or local taxes apply within Centenary Economic City free zone.

In addition to the N100 million damages, Arab Contractors were further directed to pay N50 million as general damages for the destruction of the zone’s master plan designed by Eagle Hills Properties LLC of UAE.

“An Order is hereby made directing Arab Contractors (OAO) Nigeria Limited, to pay to the Plaintiffs, the sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) only, for the forceful invasion and destruction of the Plaintiffs’ Master plan of the Centenary Economic City Free Zone, designed by Eagle Hills Properties LLC, of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at a cost of Thirty-Five Million, United States Dollars.

“General damages against Arab Contractors (OAO) Nigeria Limited, for the sum of N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) only.

“The sum of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) only, as the cost of this action against Arab Contractors (OAO) Nigeria Limited.

“Interest on the entire judgment sum, at the rate of 10% per annum, commencing from the time of the delivery of the judgment in this action, till the entire judgment sum is fully liquidated by Arab Contractors (OAO) Nigeria Limited.

“This is the Order of this Court,” Justice Ekwo ruled.

______________________________________________________________________ “Bridging Theory And Courtroom Practice” — Hagler Sunny Okorie, Nathaniel Ngozi Ikeocha Unveil ‘Functional’ Tort Law Book For Nigerian Legal System The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209. ______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation ______________________________________________________________________ ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. Bonus: Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.

How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com

Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626

________________________________________________________________________ The Law And Practice Of Redundancy In Nigeria: A Practitioner’s Guide, Authored By A Labour & Employment Law Expert Bimbo Atilola _______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com