The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has restrained the Inspector-General of Police and other police authorities from arresting, detaining, harassing, intimidating or threatening businessman Chief Francis Onyekachukwu over a commercial dispute involving two companies.
The court also ordered the immediate and unconditional return of a sport utility vehicle belonging to Onyekachukwu’s wife, which was allegedly removed from his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, on September 22, 2026.
Justice Yusuf Halilu issued the orders on October 21 while granting an ex parte application filed by Terkaa Aondo, SAN, on behalf of Onyekachukwu and Niger Green Dredging International Limited.
The suit, marked CV/4647/2026, arose from a commercial transaction between Niger Green Dredging International Limited and Royal Technergy Frontier Limited.
Court Restrains Police From Intervening in Commercial Dispute
In the ruling, Justice Halilu restrained the police respondents, including their officers, agents and representatives, from interfering with Onyekachukwu’s personal liberty, dignity and freedom of movement in connection with the commercial transaction between the companies.
The court also prohibited the affected police authorities from invading, barricading, occupying or otherwise interfering with the applicant’s residence and peaceful enjoyment of the property pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.
The order further restrained the police from intervening in the commercial dispute or compelling the applicants to refund, repay, account for or settle any sum arising from the transaction between the companies.
Among the police respondents named in the proceedings were the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, the Police Service Commission, the Divisional Police Officer of Ikoyi Police Division and officers attached to the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja.
The managing director of Royal Technergy Frontier Limited and the company were also listed among the respondents.
Wife’s SUV Ordered and Released
A central aspect of the ruling was the court’s directive that the SUV belonging to Onyekachukwu’s wife be released and returned unconditionally and forthwith.
The vehicle was reportedly removed from the applicant’s residence in Ikoyi on September 22. The court’s order addressed its return while also preserving the applicants’ position concerning their residence and personal liberty.
Justice Halilu granted the applicants permission to serve relevant court processes on certain respondents by substituted service through the Inspector-General of Police at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Substantive Hearing Fixed for November 10
The matter was adjourned until November 10, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive motion on notice.
Because the orders were made on an ex parte application, the case remains pending. The ruling should not be presented as a final determination of the underlying commercial dispute or as a final finding of liability against every respondent.
Nevertheless, the order highlights an important legal distinction between investigating alleged wrongdoing and using police powers to intervene in private commercial disputes.
The substantive proceedings will provide an opportunity for the issues raised by the parties to be considered further by the court.
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