NIGERIA ACE DESIGNER, MUDI FACES CONTEMPT CHARGE

Clement Mudiaga Enajemo, a.k.a MUDI, Nigeria’s international fashion designer risks being committed to prison for contempt of court.

 A traditional ruler, the Baale of Anthony Village, Chief Olujide Mukaila Oseni suing for himself and on behalf of the Adams family of Anthony village, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria has commenced a contempt charge against him for disobeying an order of a Lagos High Court.

A Lagos high court had on the 19 April this year ordered the two parties involved in litigation over a parcel of land in Anthony village to maintain the status quo but Clement Enajemo was alleged to have disobeyed the order of the court and continued with the construction of structures on the disputed land.

The order of the court was sequel to a suit filed before the court by a Lagos lawyer, Barrister Abiodun Onidare on behalf of the Baale of Anthony Village, Chief Olujide Mukaila Oseni, suing for himself and on behalf of the Adams family of the village against a fashion designer, Clement Enajemo, an Estate Agent, Adeola Oguntoyinbo and one Jonathan Williams.

Also joined as co-defendants are Registrar of Titles, Lagos State Land Registry, Chairman, Lagos State Urban Development Board and the General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning and Development Authority.

In an affidavit sworn to by a litigation manager, Mr. Adedotun Olatubosun, filed and argued before the court by Mr. Onidare, the deponent averred that the Adams family is the owner of 56 acres of land in Anthony village as the family inherited same from their ancestors who settled in Anthony village when the total land area was known as Degi village. The said Degi came into being in 1864.

Mr. Olatunbosun averred further that the family executed lease agreement in favour of several individuals one of  whom is one Mr. Jonathan Williams. The lease granted to him was in respect of one plot of land 50 x 100 ft for the purpose of building a house at a ground rent of one pound per annum.

However, Mr. Jonathan Williams was alleged to have failed and refused to pay the rent of arrears for 20 years and also refused to yield up the vacant possession of the land to the claimant. The said land is now developed into a block of four three bedroom flats occupied by him until the property was sold to Clement Enajemo, doing business under the name of “MUDI”

The deponent averred further that inspite of series of warnings, an Estate Agent Adeola Oguntoyinbo doing business under the name of Rich Crown Property Company Limited procured title documents to convey the land from Jonathan Williams to Clement Enajemo who then commenced extensive rebuilding and renovation on the structures.

Barrister Onidare then urged the court to issue interim orders to parties to maintain the stus quo to ensure that the subject matter of this suit is preserved.

Consequently, the presiding judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade ordered that all parties are to maintain status quo pending the determination of the suit.

Meanwhile the claimant while initiating committal proceeding against the defendant has filed an application urging the court to enter final judgement against the defendants for being in default of appearance and pleadings as they failed to file any defence to the suit.

The claimant also contended that the defendants are out of time to file their defence and has been delaying the trial for more than nine months.

Culled: pmnewsnigeria.com