Major Legal Triumph: Adamawa State Dodges $35.6 Million Payout in Court of Appeal Win

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Adamawa State Government has achieved a major legal win, avoiding a payment of $35,618,054.61 to plaintiff Ned Munir Nwoko following a successful appeal at the Court of Appeal.

The case originated at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, where Nwoko sued the state for the sum claimed as consultancy fees, reportedly linked to past foreign debt recovery efforts, including Paris Club refunds.

In a default judgment, the High Court granted Nwoko’s claims and issued an Order Nisi in garnishee proceedings. This directed all banks in Nigeria to attach and freeze funds belonging to the Adamawa State Government until the full judgment amount was settled.

Upon learning of the ruling, the Adamawa State Government swiftly appealed to the Court of Appeal, challenging both the garnishee order and the lower court’s refusal to grant a stay of execution.

The Court of Appeal heard the three related appeals on December 2, 2025, and reserved its judgment. On February 10, 2026, the appellate court delivered its decision, allowing all three appeals in favor of Adamawa State. The court set aside the previous orders and remitted the case back to the FCT High Court for a fresh trial.

This ruling effectively halts any immediate enforcement of the $35.6 million payment (or its naira equivalent), providing significant financial relief to the state.

Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Adamawa State, announced the development in a statement released on February 18, 2026. He described the outcome as a welcome development that safeguards the state’s resources.

The case highlights ongoing disputes between some state governments and consultants involved in historical debt recovery claims from international loans. No further details on the substantive merits of the original claim were addressed in the appeal ruling, as the matter now heads for retrial at the High Court.

Adamawa State officials expressed optimism that the retrial will fully resolve the matter in the state’s favor.