The Association of Parks and Garden Owners, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has reminded the FCT Minister that his threat to seal any garden/park that operates and sale alcoholic beverages after 7 pm, is subjudice as the matter is in court.
The park and garden owners among other things in Suit No:CV/408/2008., is praying the court for an Order stopping the Minister of the FCT from sealing Parks and Gardens and the sale of alcoholic beverages.
They are also praying the court for Interlocutory Injunction, restraining the Minister, his privies, agents, workers, partners, representations, associates or howsoever from enforcing the purported regulation of 7pm as the maximum hours of operations of parks and gardens in Abuja daily pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
In a supporting affidavit to the motion deposed by one Emeka Onuorah, he affirmed that “the plaintiffs/applicants drew the attention of our office to a broadcast by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Honorable Minister on Monitoring and Enforcement Ikharo Attah wherein he threatened to enforce a purported regulation directing all parks and gardens to close by 7pm on daily basis or face arrest and incarceration for violation.
“The television broadcast by the defendant/respondent’s SSA on Monitoring and Enforcement was arbitrary and without cogent reasons. The actions of the defendant/respondent touches on issues that are sub judice and pending before this court.”
He further averred that, “the purported action of the SSA on Monitoring and Enforcement is an affront on our judiciary considering that the said issue is pending before this Honourable court for determination.”
