A Federal High Court presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite on Monday in Abuja ordered the parties in a contract dispute involving the Federal Ministry of Interior to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the substantive suit.
This follows a lawsuit instituted by Anchor Dataware Solutions Limited against the Ministry of Interior, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The claimant alleged the wrongful termination of its contract to manage and maintain the e-Citibiz platform—a system used for automating expatriate quotas, business permits, citizenship processes, and marriage registrations.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/770/2025, seeks several declarations, including that the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement between the firm and the Ministry remains valid and binding.
Anchor Dataware is seeking an injunction restraining the appointment of another service provider other than itself, unless the Ministry observes the procedure of a three-month termination notice as stipulated in the contractual agreement, particularly in Clause 13.1.
It asserted that the disengagement via a letter dated 15 April 2025 was unlawful and constituted a breach of the contract’s terms.
Anchor Dataware is also demanding ₦20 million in damages.
At Monday’s proceedings, counsel for the claimant, A.O. Amagwula, and defence counsel for the defendants, Abiola Olawola, appeared before the court.
The matter, earlier adjourned on 24 April to allow for proper service of court processes, was again postponed after Olawola informed the court that the defence had been served the claimant’s counter-affidavit and still had time to respond under statutory rules.
Amagwula did not oppose the request for adjournment but urged the court to formally instruct all parties to maintain the status quo to protect the subject of the litigation.
In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite stressed that once a matter is before a court, justice requires all parties to refrain from actions that could affect the substance of the case.
“This is a court of record. If a matter is before the court, justice demands that, without any pronouncement, parties must stay action on all issues related to the case pending the hearing of the substantive suit,” the judge ruled.
Defence counsel assured the court that the defendants would respect the judicial process and avoid any steps that could undermine the case.
The matter was adjourned to 3 June 2025 for hearing.
