The Chinwe Ezenwa-Mbah led executive of the Osborne 2 Estate Residents’ Association (OSFRA) may face a possible jail term for acting in contempt of a valid and subsisting order of the High Court of Lagos State.
OSFRA in total disregard of a valid and subsisting order of the High Court of Lagos State, commenced Suit No. FHC/L/CS/755/2021 at the Federal High Court against the National Environmental Standards And Regulations Enforcement Agency & three Others on the same subject matter and fraudulently concealed material facts, leading the Federal High Court to make an interim order against two of the defendants.
The second and third defendants, Lekki Gardens Estates Limited and Foreshore Waters Limited subsequently filed an application to set aside the interim order and strike out/dismiss the suit on grounds of material concealment of facts, lack of jurisdiction and abuse of court process.
After hearing Lekki Gardens’ application, the Federal High Court delivered its ruling on 10th August 2021. In its ruling, the Federal High Court agreed with Lekki Gardens on its stated grounds in the application to set aside the interim order. The Court further held that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit and make the interim order. The court also noted that OSFRA’s suit constitutes an abuse of the Court process in view of the pendency of Suit No. LD/9224LMW/2020 at the High Court of Lagos State.
In view of the above, the Federal High Court struck out OSFRA’s suit on the grounds proffered by Lekki Gardens and awarded costs against OSFRA.
Meanwhile, the wheels of justice turn slowly but surely to ensure that Chinwe Ezenwa-Mba and her cohorts have their day in court to answer to the Contempt charges against them.
