Court Fixes April 9 for Hearing in N1.26tn Suit over National Theatre

Chiemelie Ezeobi

A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday adjourned until April 9, to hear a suit by a company, Topwideapeas Limited, against the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation among others, challenging nullification of its concession over the National Theatre Complex.

In its court processes, Topwideapeas Ltd is a special purpose entity for the acquisition of the undeveloped land adjoining the National Theatre in Lagos.

In the new suit filed by plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Chijoke Okoli (SAN), and marked /2392/19, the plaintiff wants the court to declare as unlawful, the termination of its concession over the theatre.

Joined as defendants are the National Theatre and National Troupe of Nigeria Board; Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission; Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation; and theAttorney General of the Federation.

Also joined are the Central Bank of Nigeria, Access Bank and Herbert Wigwe.

When the case was called yesterday Mrs Perpetual Onwunma appeared for the plantiff.

MissIbukunOwaappearedforthe sixth and seventh defendants while Mr. Charles Nwabulu appeared for the fifth defendant.

Onwunma informed the court that parties had been duly served on March 4 and proof of service was in the court’s file.

However, since parties were still within time to respond, she requested that the case be adjourned to a short date for hearing of the Plaintiff’s motion for interlocutory injunction.

Plaintiff counsel urged that a date before thecourt’sEastervacation be considered due to the facts and circumstances of the suit.

There was no objection from other counsel.

The court consequently adjourned the case until April 9, for hearing.

In the suit, plaintiff is seeking a declaration that it is unlawful for the fifth to seventh defendants, to purport to truncate and nullify its rights as the concessionaire of the fallow land at the National theatre by inducing a breach of its contract.