By Innocent Anaba

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has adjourned till May 11 and 12, 2026, to commence committal proceedings against the immediate past Director of Legal Services of the Nigeria Police Force, Mr. Emmanuel Aina, an Assistant Inspector General of Police, and 28 others over alleged disobedience to court orders.

The trial judge, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Alagua, slated the dates following allegations that the defendants flagrantly violated subsisting orders of the court by interfering in the affairs of the Incorporated Trustees of Divine Homes Residents Association, IDHRA.

The alleged disobedience, according to court processes, led to the arrest, detention and subsequent prosecution of the association’s former chairman, Mr. Uche Nwabueze, despite an existing court order restraining such actions.

Others listed in the committal proceedings include police officers and civilians such as Lami Patrick (SP), Esther Onyenike (SP), Stanley Nwodo (SP), Paul Edom (Inspector), Edmund Ejiogu, Bolaji Akinsanya, Adannaya Ukoha, Femi Lawal, Oluha Ifeanyi, Chidinma Marvelous Dim, Anih Tochukwu Benjamin, John Ekenedirichukwu, Obioha Okengwu, Kingsley Inweni and Tega Tega DJ, among others.

The court has already ordered that notices of contempt proceedings be pasted within the premises of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, as well as at the last known addresses of the alleged contemnors, directing them to appear and show cause why they should not be committed to prison.

In a motion on notice filed by counsel to the applicant, Mr. Pius Abioro, the court is urged to determine whether the respondents are in contempt by deliberately disobeying its orders.

Abioro argued that the alleged contemnors resisted execution of the court’s judgment, conducted elections using a constitution earlier nullified by the court, and operated a parallel executive committee in defiance of the ruling.

He further argued that the arrest and detention of Nwabueze violated an interim order of October 8, 2025, which restrained such action pending the determination of a fundamental rights enforcement suit.
The lawyer maintained that disobedience to court orders undermines the rule of law and must not be condoned.

“The orders of this court made on January 5, 2024, and reaffirmed on November 21, 2024, are clear and unambiguous. The contemnors were aware of these orders but chose to violate them,” he said.

Abioro said thar the alleged contemnors have continued to parade themselves as executives of the association using a constitution dated April 6, 2018, which had been declared invalid by the court, while also conducting elections and maintaining a parallel executive council.

The applicant, Nwabueze, is, therefore, seeking an order committing the defendants to prison for willful disobedience of the court’s judgment delivered on January 5, 2024, and reaffirmed on November 21, 2024.

Justice Lewis-Alagua is expected to hear the matter on the adjourned date.