AMML Decries Invasion of  Market  by  Hoodlums in Abuja

The Abuja Market Management Limited (AMML) has warned of serious security breach in its market following recent attacks by some sponsored hoodlums on its offices in various markets.

The management of the markets through it Legal Advisers Barrister Abu Edache Felix while briefing reporters said the action of those behind the attack in Wuse,Dei Dei and the other markets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is condemnable.

He said it has become imperative to inform  the media of  some sordid events currently putting the survival of AMML, its Staff, security and wellbeing of our markets in jeopardy.

According to him,”On the 26th of July 2023 the GMD of Abuja Investments Ltd unilaterally wrote to all FCT owned markets, intimating them of their decision to suspend and throw open the market gates. This communication which was well circulated in the markets, compromised our security architecture”

“This in our operation security review may not be unconnected to the invasion of Wuse Market by suspected members of Shiite movement on Friday the 28th July 2023”

“This much was promptly reported to the various security agencies for proper investigation.”

He narrated that while they were still trying to solve the problems generated by the above wrong decision, on Tuesday the 1st day of August 2023, some staff of Abuja Investments Company Limited, alongside some traders at about 6.00 a.m, went into Wuse market and forcefully broke into their  office, chased  their  staff away thereby further jeopardising the security of  the  market and making it impossible for  them  to raise revenue for the provision of services across markets.

“From the information at our disposal this is one of the many steps being taken in cohort with some dismissed staff of AMML to take over the market with the view of claiming and deceiving security agencies into believing that they are the authentic staff of AMML so that they can use the security agencies to chase away the MD/CEO of AMML and the authentic staff of AMML out of the office and forcefully annexe the office as they have done in the markets in violation of valid court orders/judgement,” he said.

He disclosed that In August 2020,the management and staff of AMML received with shock the news that the former Minister of the FCT has redeployed the MD of Abuja Markets Management Ltd (Alhaji Abubakar   Usman Faruk) and directed that he reports to the Human Resources Department of the FCTA.

For almost three years the MD was dialoguing with the FCTA/Minister especially all parties having understood the error in the said redeployment. After every reasonable attempt to resolve the issue failed, the MD had no option left but to approach the court.”

“He filed a suit first at the National Industrial Court complaining on actions affecting his employment contract with AMML and later filed another action at the Federal High Court of Nigeria Abuja Division.

The case at the Federal High Court was instituted by Alhaji Usman Faruk against AMML, Abubakar Sadiq Maina, Minister of the FCT, Federal Capital Territory Administration seeking certain reliefs to which the court, after arguments from all parties,  granted  that by the correct interpretation and application of the provisions of S. 289(1) & (8) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, and all other enabling laws and statutory instruments applicable in the circumstances of this case, the claimant being a bonafide director in the 1st Defendant (AMML) and in fact, the substantive MD of the 1st Defendant is entitled to participate in the management of the business affairs of the 1st Defendant…..

The court by the breath of the same judgement nullified the GMD AICL’s membership of the board for not being in compliance with the provisions of CAMA.

Also, the court declared void all board meetings held without notice to the Claimant and all resolution/decisions made in such meetings declared null and void which include but not limited to the decision to impose an AICL Staff on AMML in capacity of a General Manager and Ag. MD.

The above and every other claims before the court were decided in favour of the Claimant.