By: Abba Onyekachukwu, Abuja.
A Magistrate Court in Abuja has struck out a direct criminal complaint filed by Audullahi Adebimpe Mosadoluwa against Elizabeth Aishat Anjorin, A.K.A. Lizzy Anjorin, and Shakira Ayobami, citing incompetence and gross irregularities.
The complaint, which alleged criminal defamation, acts likely to breach public peace, and presentation of false statements, was deemed to have been improperly filed.
In a ruling on February 4, 2026, by His. Worship, Hon. Sunday A. A. Adukwu held that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the complaint, as both the complainant and defendants reside in Lagos, outside the FCT.
The judge also noted that the complainant had filed a single complaint for multiple offences, contrary to Section 89(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
The court awarded a cost of N50,000 against the complainant.
The case highlights the importance of following proper procedures in filing complaints and the need for litigants to understand the laws governing their actions.
The complainant’s counsel, Yaqub Eleto, had argued that the court had jurisdiction to entertain the complaint, but the judge disagreed.
The defendants’ counsel, A.U.E. Ogboi, had filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction, which was upheld.
The ruling is subject to appeal to the High Court of Justice, FCT, Abuja, within 30 days.
