The Abuja Market Management Ltd has an alarm over unwholesome activities of the Abuja Investments Company Ltd Ltd that is compromising the security of markets in Abuja and putting the staff in harms way.
At a press conference in Abuja, the AMML Legal Adviser Felix Edache said AICL went into Wuse market and forcefully broke into our office, chased our staff away thereby further jeopardising the security of our market and making it impossible for us to raise revenue for the provision of services across markets.
Find below the full text of the press briefing.
STATEMENT BY ABUJA MARKETS MANAGEMENT LTD ON RECENT EVENTS
Gentlemen of the Press,
It has become imperative to get you informed of some sordid events currently putting the survival of AMML, Its Staff, Security and wellbeing of our markets in jeopardy.
On the 26th of July 2023 the GMD of Abuja Investments Ltd unilaterally wrote to all FCT owned markets, intimating them of their decision to suspend and throw open the market gates. This communication which was well circulated in the markets, compromised our security architecture.
This in our operation security review may not be unconnected to the invasion of Wuse Market by suspected members of Shiite movement on Friday the 28th July 2023.
This much was promptly reported to the various security agencies for proper investigation.
While still trying to solve the problems generated by the above wrong decision, on Tuesday the 1st day of August 2023, Some staff of Abuja Investments Company Ltd alongside some traders at about 6am in the morning, went into Wuse market and forcefully broke into our office, chased our staff away thereby further jeopardising the security of our market and making it impossible for us to raise revenue for the provision of services across markets.
From the information at our disposal this is one of the many steps being taken in cohort with some dismissed staff of Abuja Markets Management Ltd AMML to take over the market with the view of claiming and deceiving security agencies into believing that they are the authentic Staff of AMML so that they can use the security agencies to chase away the MD/CEO of AMML and the authentic staff of AMML out of the office and forcefully annexed the office as they have done in the markets in violation of valid court orders/judgement.
Why all these you may ask?
In August 2020 at noon The management and Staff of AMML received with shock the news that the former Minister of the FCT has redeployed the MD of Abuja Markets Management Ltd (ALH. ABUBAKAR USMAN FARUK) and directed that he reports to the Human Resources Department of the FCTA.
For almost three years the MD was dialoguing with the FCTA/Minister especially all parties having understood the error in the said redeployment. After every reasonable attempt to resolve the issue failed, the MD had no option left but to approach the court.
He filed a suit first at the National Industrial Court complaining on actions affecting his employment contract with AMML and later filed another action at the Federal High Court of Nigeria Abuja Division.
I will start with the case at the Federal High Court which has been fully decided and for which a notice of Appeal have been filled by one of the parties.
THE CASE:
The case at the Federal High Court was instituted by ALH ABUBAKAR USMAN FARUK against Abuja Markets Management Ltd, Abubakar Sadiq Maina, Minister Of the Federal Capital Territory and Federal Capital Territory Administration seeking certain reliefs to which the court after arguments from all parties granted and ordered “that by the correct interpretation and application of the provisions of S. 289(1) & (8) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, and all other enabling laws and statutory instruments applicable in the circumstances of this case, the Caimant being a bonafide director in the 1st Defendant (AMML) and infact, the substantive Managing Director of the 1st Defendant is entitled to participate in the management of the business affairs of the 1st Defendant.”
The court by the breath of the same judgement nullified the GMD AICL’s membership of the board for not being in compliance with the provisions of CAMA.
Also, the court declared void all Board meeting held without notice to the Claimant and all resolution/decisions made in such meetings declared null and void which include but not limited to the decision to impose an AICL Staff on AMML in capacity of a General Manager and Ag. MD.
The above and every other claims before the court was decided in favour of the Claimant.
This Order of court was served on all parties to this suit before the MD/CEO resumed office on the 12th of July 2023.
Upon his return to the warm embrace of staff of AMML, AICL kick started the programme to make the organisation impossible for him to manage. Armed with some staff who fear the will be called to on some very obvious Financial/Professional misconduct, they began to roll out and explore every unlawfully means to unsettle AMML.
It might intrest you that there is another Judgement from the National Industrial Court in Suit No: NICN/ABJ/62/2023 wherein the court gave judgement recognising the Claimant as per the suite between the Claimant and AMML recognising the Claimant as the Substantive MD/CEO of the AMML further details of this Judgement is as contain in the enrolled copy before you.
The GMD AICL in further affront against the judiciary went ahead against an explicit pronouncement of court went further to convene a kangaroo owner meeting and in his desperation paid no attention or refused to respect the provisions of CAMMA.
In the language of the ruling on eperte application court, Coram. Hon Justice R.B Haastrup in “The pieces of evidence before this court confirm the facts deposed to by the Applicant and all point to some level of hostility by the Group Managing Director of the 4th Defendant…”
The court then ruled among others giving restraining orders against The GMD/AICL stopping them from carrying out actions in the the manner they have done and further intend to do against AMML and her MD/CEO.
We are confident that Permanent Secretary and the entire management of FCT will intervene switly to resolve the issues at stake, going by the efforts he has put so far.
Meanwhile, it is important that the GMD/AICL maintain Status quo as already ordered by court so as not to allow the situation degenerate any further.
Thank you all for your time and patience as we trust God for reasoning to prevail.
