Harvesters International Church risks contempt proceedings over alleged disobedience to court orders
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
In disobedience to the judgement of Lagos State High Court which declared that the parcel of land situate at Gbagada Industrial Estate, facing the Gbagada/Oshodi Expressway, measuring about four acres, belongs to 11 PLC, Harvesters International Church risks contempt proceedings.
Following the judgement, the Sheriff of the High Court had executed the order on April 15, 2025, placing 11 PLC in lawful and exclusive possession of the property.
However, there are reports that Harvesters International Christian Centre (Harvesters Church) allegedly entered the said property, mounted its signboard on the premises, and removed the inscription placed by the High Court Sheriff, which read: “Possession taken by order of the Court.”
This development has raised serious concerns because the High Court had already vested ownership and possession of the property in 11 PLC, and restrained any third party from interfering with the land.
Legal commentators have expressed that such actions, if confirmed, may lead to contempt of court, as the judgement delivered by Justice Ogala of the High Court, Ikeja, had expressly granted 11 PLC ownership rights, perpetual injunction against interference, and exclusive possession of the land which has not been nullified or set aside by any superior court.
The court had in its judgement, upheld the arguments of 11 PLC’s counsel, Adenrele Adegborioye Esq. of BA LAW LLP, declaring the company the lawful owner and holder of the statutory right of occupancy over the parcel of land known as Plot 5, Block B, Gbagada Industrial Estate, Shomolu LGA, Lagos State, as described in Survey Plan No. LS/DKKJ/957 and covered by Certificate of Occupancy registered as No. 79, Page 79, Volume 1998D of the Lagos State Lands Registry, Ikeja, dated June 28, 1998.
The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining any sale, lease, or act of trespass on the land and confirmed 11 PLC’s right to exclusive possession.
Specifically, the court made the following Orders: “That 11 PLC is the lawful owner and holder of the statutory right of occupancy over the land known as Plot 5, Block B, Gbagada Industrial Estate, Shomolu LGA, Lagos State, as described in Survey Plan No. LS/DKKJ/957 and covered by Certificate of Occupancy registered as No. 79, Page 79, Volume 1998D of the Lagos State Lands Registry, Ikeja, dated June 28, 1998.
“An order restraining the claimant/defendant to counterclaim and their agents, privies, or servants from selling, leasing, or committing any act of trespass on the land.
“An order granting 11 PLC exclusive possession of the land as the rightful owner.”
Legal analysts have warned that failure to comply with the subsisting order of the court may expose any party in occupation of the land to contempt proceedings.
