Kogi Court Stops FG From Concessioning Ajaokuta Steel, Iron Ore Mining Company »

A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has restrained the Federal Government from its planned concession of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) at Itakpe.

Both companies are located in Kogi state.

The FG had commenced the concession process for the two companies with an advertisement.

However, in a suit with number HCL/211M/2023 filed by the Attorney-General of Kogi State, on behalf of the government and people of the state, the court was asked, through a motion exparte, to give an order for a stay of action on the concession process pending the determination of the substantive matter on it before the court.

The motion exparte was brought pursuant to Order 11, Rules 7 of the Kogi State High Court (Civil Procedure Rules) 2006.

Leading seven other lawyers, M. Y. Abdullahi, SAN, drew the attention of the court to the affidavit of urgency deposed to in the application while seeking the orders. He sought two orders:

“An order for interim injunction restarting the Defendants/Respondents, their agents, representatives, officials and whosoever acting for them, or through them, or on their behalf, from proceeding with the concession of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and the National Iron Ore Mining Company”.

This was supported by another seeking injunction of restraint against defendants “carrying out any of the itemized functions or activities as contained in their publication published in the Daily Trust of Friday, 21st April, 2023”, including the virtual pre-qualification for conference or interview slated for May 4, 2023, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

Delivering his ruling, Hon. Justice Josiah Majebi, the Chief Judge of the state and presiding judge of the High Court 1, found substance in the motion and granted the application.