A federal high court in Abuja has ordered parties in a contract dispute involving the federal ministry of interior to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the substantive suit.
The order comes in response to a suit filed by Anchor Dataware Solutions Limited, a tech firm, against the ministry, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
At the heart of the dispute is e-Citibiz, a digital platform that automates key ministry services such as expatriate quotas, business permits, citizenship processes, and marriage registrations.
The firm is accusing the ministry of abruptly terminating a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement without due process.
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The company is asking the court to declare the termination conveyed via a letter dated April 15, 2025, as unlawful and in breach of contract.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/770/2025, also seeks an injunction restraining the ministry from engaging another service provider without observing the three-month termination notice period stipulated in their agreement.
Anchor Dataware is demanding N20 million in damages.
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When the case came up on Monday, A.O. Amagwula appeared for the plaintiff, while Abiola Olawola represented the defendants.
Although the matter had earlier been adjourned to April 24 to allow proper service of court documents, proceedings were again postponed after the defence confirmed it had only recently received the plaintiff’s counter-affidavit and still had time to respond under court rules.
While not opposing the fresh adjournment request, Amagwula urged the court to explicitly direct all parties to refrain from any action that could compromise the suit.
In his ruling, Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, reminded both sides of their duty to respect the court and avoid steps that might interfere with the case.
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“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.
The defence team assured the court they would comply with the directive and refrain from actions that could undermine the proceedings.
The matter has been adjourned to June 3 for hearing.
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