In a major victory for the Kogi State government, a State High Court in Lokoja has issued an interim injunction restraining the Federal Government from the planned concession of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) and the National Iron Ore Mining Company, NIOMCO, Itakpe, both located in Kogi State.
The exparte order was granted by Chief Judge, Justice Josiah Joe Majebi, following an application by the Attorney-General of Kogi State on behalf of the Government and people of the State. Lead Counsel to the State Government, M Y Abdullahi, SAN, requested an “Order of interim injunction restraining the Defendant/Respondents, their agents, officials or representatives from proceeding with the proposed concession of the companies” in his application.
The order also seeks to restrain the defendants from carrying out any of the functions or activities contained in the Daily Trust publication of Friday, 21st, 2023, including virtual pre-qualification for conference or interview slated for May 4th, 2023, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Justice Majebi, in granting the interim injunction, stated that it is necessary to prevent irreparable damage to the applicant pending the determination of the motion on notice. The defendants in the matter are the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, the Bureau of Public Enterprise, Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, and the National Iron Ore Mining Company.
The Kogi State government has been pushing for the revival of the ASCL and NIOMCO, which it says are crucial to the economic development of the state and the country at large. The government has argued that the proposed concession will not serve the best interests of the state or the nation.
The motion on notice has been scheduled for hearing on May 4th, 2023. This ruling is a significant win for the Kogi State government, and it remains to be seen how the case will be decided in the coming months.