Court gavel
Justice Abubakar Shani of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, has admitted additional exhibits in an ongoing ₦25 million legal battle over unpaid construction work at the Abuja Zoological Garden, popularly known as Treasure Island.
The case, filed by Simitex Engineering Company Limited under suit number HCHC/CV/4160/2024, names Red Sapphire Nig. Limited, the FCT Minister, the Director of Parks and Recreation, and Development Control Abuja as defendants.
Simitex claims it undertook supplementary construction valued at over ₦25 million on Plot No. 1772 AO1 Garki District—commonly referred to as Abuja Zoological Garden—after receiving approval from the defendants.
However, the company alleges it was never reimbursed, even after the property was reclaimed by the authorities.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, counsel to the claimant, Abubakar Abdulkareem, continued his examination-in-chief with the company’s first witness (PW1), Ibrahim Tajudeen.
Tajudeen presented six photographs along with a supporting document, all of which were accepted into evidence without objection from defence counsel, Promise Choko.
Regarding a “Bill of Quantities” submitted by the claimant, Tajudeen confirmed its authenticity, noting it featured both the company’s name and official logo.
However, a separate document—a previous judgment from the Magistrates’ Court—faced an objection from Choko, who argued it was a public document and required proper certification before being admitted.
Justice Shani adjourned the case until October 9, 2025, for ruling on the document’s admissibility and for the cross-examination of PW1.
In its writ of summons, Simitex is requesting, among other reliefs, a court order declaring that the company should be reimbursed for constructing “three office rooms with the consent of the 1st defendant.”
The demand is backed by letters sent on August 12, 2024, and September 5, 2024.
The company is also seeking an injunction to prevent the first defendant from using the office space “in whatsoever form” until full payment is made. Additionally, Simitex wants the court to compel all four defendants to “jointly and severally” pay ₦25,000,000, representing the construction cost.
(NAN)
