The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Bwari has threatened to imprison a Reverend Father, Ezekiel John Awolumate and one other for their alleged complicity in the sale of a property belonging to the late President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the FCT, Justice Moses Abu Bello.

In a Form 49 issued by the Registrar of the court, Rev. Father Awolumate and Joseph Asuku Bello (Executive Director, Asset Management, NELMCO) are requested to ?show cause why order of committal should not be made? against them for allegedly flouting a subsisting order of the court.

The late judge?s daughter, Ann Eniyamire Bello had sued Awolumate and the King Catholic Church, Okene Parish, claiming among others, to have been short-changed in the execution of her father?s will.

The court, on October 14 issued an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants in the suit, marked: FCT/HC/M/12904/2024 from selling the late judge?s property, including the one at plot no: 763, Cadastral Zone A6 (no 41, Panama Street) Maitama, Abuja.

In an affidavit supporting the application for committal, the plaintiff claimed that, despite the restraining order and the pendency of the suit, the defendants allegedly sold the properties which are subject of the suit.

The plaintiff claimed in the substantive suit, that her father stated in his will that his assets should be divided among his wife and eight children, using an 11.11 percent sharing formula.

She further claimed that Awolumate, the first defendant, allegedly altered the formula to 4.16 percent, contrary to her father?s instructions.

The plaintiff is praying the court to, among others, void the defendants? decision and to relieve them of their duties as executors of her father?s will.

She also wants the court to declare that she is entitled to 11.11 percent of all her father?s assets, including shares and stocks.

Hearing in the case has been scheduled for October 28. (Courtesy, excluding headline, The Nation)

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