The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued strict warnings to three leading banks—First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Access Bank Plc, and Zenith Bank Plc—alerting their Managing Directors that they could face imprisonment for allegedly defying an existing court order, according to Very Nigerian.
The notices, issued as Form 48 Notices of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order, relate to an interim order from November 6, 2025, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2369/2025. The case involves a dispute over an onshore oil asset and the FSO Ugo Ocha, connected to the OML 42 Joint Venture, in which the Federal Government holds a 55 percent stake.
Dated November 13, 2025, the notices were served on the Managing Director of First Bank at both its Marina Head Office in Lagos and the Abuja branch on Muhammadu Buhari Way. They reminded the banks that the court had ordered all parties to maintain the status quo and warned that any breach would amount to contempt. The notices explicitly stated: “Unless you stop further disobedience and comply with the direction contained in the order… you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”
A copy of the original court order was attached, which states: “The ex-parte application for Interim Injunction is hereby refused. The Court hereby directs all parties to maintain the status quo as at today, the 6th day of November 2025. Parties are ordered not to deal with the subject matter of the litigation pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction. The Motion on Notice shall be served on the Defendants/Respondents before the next adjourned date.”
The suit was filed by Neconde Energy Limited, White Dove Shipping Company Limited, and others against First Bank, Access Bank, and five additional defendants.
The Form 48 notices represent the initial step in contempt proceedings, serving as a formal warning that any violation of the court’s directive to maintain the status quo could result in legal penalties. The court has scheduled the hearing for the interlocutory injunction on December 4, 2025, and emphasised that any breach of its order before that date will incur serious consequences.
