I previously reported the 7pm park closures here. Ahead of plans by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Bello Mohammed to ban the sale of alcoholic beverages in parks and gardens in Abuja, park and garden owners have written to the minister reminding him of the pendency of their suit against him.
They urged the minister to uphold the rule of law and call his staff to order to stop enforcing the closure of parks and gardens at 7pm in the Federal Capital Territory.
In a letter written through their lawyer, Ifeanyi Remy Agu, the group stated, “Re Suit No: CV /408/2008: Barrister (Mrs) Amanda Pam (Proprietor Suez Garden) & 60 others – Plaintiff v Hon Minister FCT Defendant. Enforcement of 6pm Closing Hour by FCTA-Action Sub-Judice,” he stated “as solicitors to the plaintiffs in the above stated suit pending before the FCT High Court, we draw your attention to the threatened enforcement of 6pm closing hour by owners of gardens in the FCT by your Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Monitoring and Enforcement, Comrade Ikharo Attah which action is sub-Judice of the pending case before the court.
“Suffice it to say that we live in a democratic society where the rule of law prevails over personal desires and thuggery by public servants. The terms of settlement in the above matter were set by the honorable court after the parties agreed on the terms and principles,” he added.
Agu noted that “our clients received the threatened enforcement by the SSA against the plaintiffs with the greatest shock. As Minister of Justice, we appeal to you to use your good office to call the SSA to order, especially since the case is before a court and the parties have agreed on the principles.
“The fact that criminal activity occurred at one of the gardens does not mean that criminal activity occurred at all of the other gardens to justify enforcing the 6 p.m. closure rule.
