Minna High Court Bars Governor Mohammed Bago and Others from Disputed Farmland Access in Niger State

In a significant legal development, a High Court sitting in Minna, Niger State, has granted an interim injunction against Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and five other named parties, preventing them from gaining access to a farmland currently under litigation. The disputed land is owned by one Bello Wakili and nine other members of his family, and the case has become a contentious matter of public interest.

The ruling, delivered under suit number NSHC/MN/215/2025, will stay in force until the court concludes the substantive legal matter. This order seeks to maintain the status quo and protect the property rights of the plaintiffs pending the final decision.

The plaintiffs, represented by legal counsel Barrister Solomon Ogbeche, brought the matter before the court to safeguard their ancestral farmland, which is located near Tagwai Dam in the Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State. According to their submissions, the farmland has been in their family for generations and is now at risk of illegal encroachment.

Niger State Government, Ministries and Agency Named as Defendants

The six defendants in the lawsuit include:

• The Niger State Government
• The Niger State Ministry of Lands
• The Commissioner for Lands in Niger State
• The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Niger State
• The Niger State Ministry of Justice
• Niger Foods Limited, a private entity allegedly involved in the land dispute

In the ruling, Justice Mohammed Mohammed ordered the defendants to immediately cease any form of activity or development on the disputed property. The court emphasized that no party must interfere with the land until a final determination is made regarding ownership and legal rights.

However, serious concerns have since been raised regarding alleged defiance of the court’s interim injunction. Despite the binding nature of the order, the plaintiffs claim that the defendants have continued to trespass and carry out work on the contested farmland.

Contempt Charges Filed Against Governor Bago and Other Defendants

In response to the alleged violation, Barrister Ogbeche has filed a contempt proceeding against the Governor and the other defendants. The motion seeks to hold them in correctional custody for willfully disobeying the court’s lawful order. This legal action is aimed at compelling respect for the rule of law and reinforcing judicial authority.

The contempt motion hearing has been scheduled for October 6, 2025, where the court will deliberate further on the accusations of disobedience and the next legal steps.

This development underscores the rising tension between private landowners and government-backed interests in Nigeria, especially in regions where resource control and farmland ownership are growing issues.