Court Dismisses Suit Seeking to Block FCT High Court Director Ubani’s Judicial Appointment

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to prevent the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Judicial Service Committee and the National Judicial Council (NJC) from considering Chukwuemeka Tony Ubani for appointment as a judge.

Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the case on Thursday after counsel to the defendants, A.T. Kehinde, SAN, informed the court that the plaintiff, Bizplus Consulting Services Ltd, had filed a notice of discontinuance.

Kehinde, who represented all the defendants, argued that the parties had already joined issues in the matter and urged the court to dismiss the suit with costs. In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that the notice of discontinuance was deemed and proceeded to dismiss the case.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2174/2026, arose from allegations by Bizplus concerning Ubani’s handling of efforts to enforce a judgment debt against the Benue State Government through funds held by United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc.

Bizplus had asked the court to restrain the FCT Judicial Service Committee and the NJC from screening, shortlisting, evaluating or recommending Ubani for judicial appointment until the substantive case was determined. The company also sought the suspension of any steps already taken in the selection process pending an investigation into the allegations.

In an affidavit supporting its application, Bizplus, through its authorised representative, Dr Maurice Ibe, said it was a judgment creditor in a case involving the company and another party against the Benue State Government and another defendant. According to the company, the FCT High Court issued a garnishee order absolute in the matter on December 4, 2025.

The company alleged that Ubani, in his capacity as Director of Enforcement of the FCT High Court, wrote a letter dated May 4, 2026, requesting police assistance to execute the judgment. Bizplus claimed that the request was consistent with an internal court procedure requiring written clearance from the Chief Judge before police assistance could be activated.

Bizplus further alleged that police tactical officers attached to the Intelligence Response Team accompanied its representatives to UBA on September 4, 2026, to enforce the order. It claimed that internal enforcement processes were subsequently halted after adverse applications were served on the company, but alleged that a further enforcement attempt proceeded with the assistance of armed police officers.

Ubani challenged the suit through a preliminary objection, arguing that Bizplus lacked the legal standing to institute the case. He maintained that the company had not demonstrated a legal right, personal injury or sufficient interest to justify its attempt to interfere with the judicial appointment process. He also argued that the case was premature and disclosed no reasonable cause of action against him or the other defendants, adding that any administrative complaint against him should be handled by the appropriate authorities.

The other defendants were the FCT Judicial Service Committee, the NJC and the Attorney-General of the Federation. The dismissal followed the plaintiff’s notice of discontinuance; the supplied report does not establish that the court determined the underlying allegations against Ubani on their merits.