A Federal High Court in Abuja has insisted that the Bureau Of Public Procurement must stop its planned certification in line with its earlier interim order.
At the resumption of hearing of the matter on Thursday, the plaintiff lawyer, Barrister O. U. Salifu, told the court that that the defendant’s counsel availed him a copy of their initial response few minutes before the commencement of the day’s sitting.
The defendant’s lead lawyer,Taiwo E. Taiwo, sought the leave of the court to withdraw the earlier submission made by them and deposed to by Mr Iloh, representing the BPP to replace with a fresh response.
The submission was withdrawn on the strength of the support of the counsel of the plaintiff, who also informed the court about the defendant’s violation of
the interim order on January 28,2026, before asking the parties to the suit to maintain status quo.
He told the court that the Bureau of Public Procurement was currently holding at the Banquet Hall of the Villa, Abuja, on that fateful day.
The lead lawyer representing the BPP claimed he was not aware of the event.He,however, said the BPP had embarked on this training for 2 years and was “just” going to issue certificate that day to complete the program.
Justice Egwatu faulted the lawyer’s defence abd was warned not to try to stand law on its head through the unprofessional conduct aimed at destroying the law of the country.
He maintained that, the order he made on the 28th January, 2026 took effect from that day, adding that none of the parties in the suit should violate same.
He also warned that violation of the order by the parties in the suit would not be tolerated by his court.
He fixed 9th February, 2026 for further mention on the matter.
Justice Obiora Egwatu, had granted an order of interim injunction restraining the Bureau of Public Procurement acting either by herself or through the Nigeria Procurement Certification Programme,other agents, privies, assigns, representatives or whoever called from holding its planned certification convocation and policy dialogue slated to hold on the 29th January,2026 or at any other date,time or venue under whatsoever name so-called or guise pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiff/applicant’s motion on notice in this respect and the substantive suit.
