Court Restrains Appeal Court President from Acting as IBB Golf Club Trustee Chair
posted 26th April 2025
Court Restrains Appeal Court President from Acting as IBB Golf Club Trustee Chair
Abuja, 24 April 2025 – The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order restraining Monica Dongban-Mensem, the President of the Court of Appeal, from presenting herself as the chair of the trustees of the IBB International Golf and Country Club (IBB Golf Club). The ruling, delivered by the Honourable Justice Emeka Nwite, comes amidst a legal challenge questioning her position in what has been described as a "manufactured capture" of the club's leadership.
The case, identified as suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/688/2025, was brought forward by Usman Esop Japhet and Olalere Babasola, who are seeking clarity on the leadership structure of the IBB Golf Club. The plaintiffs named several defendants, including Dongban-Mensem, the Incorporated Trustees of IBB International Golf Club, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and the Corporate Affairs Commission, amongst others.
In the order dated 24 April 2025, Justice Nwite directed that the plaintiffs’ application be granted as prayed, pending the determination of the substantive suit. The court further restrained Dongban-Mensem and her co-defendants from taking any actions in their purported capacities until the case is resolved. Additionally, the court declined representation for the 4th and 6th defendants and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum—essentially preserving the state of affairs prior to the dispute.
The plaintiffs, represented by counsel K.I. Turaki, SAN, and Abdulaziz Ibrahim, SAN, alongside other senior advocates, argued their case before the court. The defendants in protest included notable figures such as Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama, SAN, also a trustee of the club.
This development has sparked significant attention, with the plaintiffs and their legal team expressing their determination to see the matter through. The court has adjourned the case to the 1st, 2nd, and 5th of an unspecified month for further hearing, ensuring that all parties adhere to the interim order in the meantime.
The IBB Golf Club, a prestigious institution in Nigeria, has found itself at the centre of this legal tussle, with the outcome likely to set a precedent for governance disputes within similar organisations across the country.
