The order was granted following an exparte application filed by two of the tenants Pastor Sallah Bambouh and Anadu Joe seeking an injunction restraining the members of the Martins family from evicting them from the property located at 126 Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos.
Listed as respondents in the application are Chief Kenny Martins, Pastor Tobi Martins, Mrs Taiwo Obasanjo, Funke Martins, Remy Martins, Wale Martins, Paul Martin and Gabriel Martins.
Moving the application, counsel to the applicants, Mr F.O Egwudah told that the court that the order being sought was necessary to preserve and protect the existing legal rights of the tenants.
Egwudah, in an affidavit of urgency, averred that members of the Martins family sold the aforementioned property and now resorted to harassing and intimidating them to vacate the property.
He further averred that if the family are not being restrained, tenants may be forcefully evicted from the said property without any quit notice, whereas their rents are yet to expire.
However, in a short ruling, Justice Oyindamola Ogala granted the order as prayed.
“From the fact before me, the respondents have shown that there is likely to be a breach of the peace if this order is not granted. The respondents are hereby restrained from entering or taking over the said property pending the filing and determination of the substantive suit,” the Judge ruled.
“The respondents are also restrained from harassing or intimidating the applicants pending the filing of a motion before this court.” judge ruled
The judge further said that the restraining order would remain valid for only seven days.