Court Dismisses Frivolous Suit, Awards Millions in Damages

On May 8, 2026, the Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko, dismissed a suit filed by Dr. Mcharri Mordi and others, labeling it as vexatious and a gross abuse of court process.

The court awarded 15 million naira for legal expenses incurred by the defendants, along with an additional 5 million naira against the first plaintiff. The case, marked FHC/L/CS/1651/2024, involved a challenge to the appointment of Professor Ik Ehiri as the sole arbitrator in a dispute arising from an agreement between the parties.

The plaintiff argued that arbitration proceedings should not continue due to an existing appeal. However, Justice Aluko ruled that the suit had fundamental defects, as an appeal was already pending, and the fresh suit aimed to frustrate existing court orders.

The judgment emphasized that the court possesses the authority to award costs against lawyers involved in abusive litigation practices.