By WANDOO SOMBO

An Abuja-based company, Stone Rockers Limited has instituted a N5 billion suit against the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over alleged unlawful shutdown of its operations and confiscation of its equipment.

The company in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2412/2025 is seeking an order of court to compel the NSCDC to pay it the sum of N5 billion as damages for the illegal shutdown of its operations and unlawful seizure of its equipment.

The suit instituted on its behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Mr Olalekan Ojo, listed the NSCDC, its commandant general and one Attah Onoja as defendants.

In the suit 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 its statutory powers by sealing up its quarry site without a court order.

The plaintiff said that the sealed quarry site was 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 property without a valid court order.

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

The plaintiff also prayed for a declaration that the Aug. 16, 2025 confiscation of its property was illegal, unlawful and arbitrary interference with its right to carry out operations.

To assuage its loses arising from the alleged forceful take over of its site, plaintiff asked for another order of the court compelling the three defendants to pay it a sum of N5 billion in damages.

The company also demanded an order to restrain the defendants, agents and privies from further interfering with its operations and another one to compel the defendants to restore all thr equipment that were carted away.

Similarly, it sought another order directing it to resume its legitimate operations without any hindrance or disturbances from the defendants, their agents, privies or anybody or group acting on their behalf.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the case has been assigned to Justice Mohammed Umar and hearing has been fixed for May 19. (NAN)