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N125bn Mammy Market Project: ARCON Disowns Arc James Onyemena
By Keneth Atavti
A project development firm, Woobs Resources Ltd, has petitioned the Nigerian Police over alleged forgery of its records and documents as well as that of the Nigerian Army to obtain architectural practising license, looting and obtaining money by false pretence by one James Onyemenam, owner of a purported architectural firm, Bridgeways Global Projects Ltd.
Woobs Resources Ltd is the Concessioner to the Nigerian Army in respect of the N125bn Arena Shopping Complex, Ikeja Military Cantonment, Lagos.
In a petition dated April 28, 2023, sighted by our reporter, addressed to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, counsel to Woobs Resources Ltd, Victor Ukutt Esq, disclosed that in 2005, his client approached the Nigerian Army to rebuild its Mammy Market at Ikeja Military Cantonment into an ultra-modern shopping complex under a Private Partnership Participation (PPP) arrangement.
The proposal, Ukutt said, was approved in 2006 and construction works started in January, 2007.
Ukutt also informed the DIG that the architectural designs, constructions and supervision of the Arena Market started in 2006 by Mr James Onyemenam and Bridgeways Global Projects Ltd, and ended in 2009, when the project was commissioned by the Nigerian Army.
However, the alleged fake architect claimed that he graduated at the first generation Nigerian University ( UNN) at the age of 26 and later at 46 got his exemption certificate from the NYSC .
But when Woobs Resources noticed “certain fraudulent and unprofessional conduct which was unbecoming of a licensed architect” it wrote a letter to the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to affirm the status of Mr.James Onyemenam as a licensed architect in a letter dated 30th November, 2011.
In the said letter, Woobs had demanded the verification and confirmation of Mr.James Onyemenam as a licensed architect pursuant to the Architect Registration Act, LFN 2004, and verification/confirmation of Bridgeways Global Projects Limited as a registered/licensed firm of architect.
However, in a reply letter dated December 5, 2011, signed by one Arc. Sale M. Yunusa, the ARCON vehemently stated that “Mr. James Uchechukwu Onyemenam is not registered and licensed to practice architecture in Nigeria; Bridgeways Global Projects Limited is also not a registered architectural firm with the Council”.
In a more recent investigation, Mr George Chukwu, Commissioner of Police (SEB)
Force Criminal Investigation Department Abuja, on May 30, 2023, wrote a letter to ARCON titled “RE: Investigation Activities; RE: Mr James Onyemenam; RE: License No. GO519”.
On June 9, ARCON replied to the letter from the police marked “Ref. No, 3000/X/FHQ/ABJ/SEB/T.6/Vol.15/542, and categorically held that Mr James Onyemenam’s architectural license was fake.
“Mr. James Uchechukwu Onyemenam is not registered and licensed to practice architecture in Nigeria in consonance with the Architects (Registration, Etc) Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“The Council did not issue any license to practice in Nigeria to Mr. James Uchechukwu Onyemenam and the license No. G0519 is not known to the Council in any of its categories of registration.
“The person under reference was not issued/granted license to practice in Nigeria” ARCON told the police.
ARCON hinted further that architects are registered under different categories as Full registration beginning with the letter F/.
The Council explained that “Fully registered architects are those who can practice as principals or consultants to clients and can submit building designs, plans etc,
Arc. Umar Mumai Registrar, ARCON, clarified that: Fully registered architects can be promoted beyond the level of senior architects if in paid employment in the public or private sector and are entitled to use the appellation “Arc“.
On the other hand, he said Provisionally Stage registered architects are holders of the approved qualifications BSc/M Sc. Architecture or equivalents and are entitled to use the title architect but can only practice under the supervision of a fully registered architect and shall not act as a principal or consultant in any private organization.
“These persons may be fully registered after passing the Architects Professional Competence Examinations (APCE) and fulfilling other conditions for registration. This category of registration is denoted with the letter Pll/…
“Provisional stage 1 registration category is for holders of the BSc. Architecture degree of its equivalents who are unable to proceed for the approved professional qualification. This class of registration is denoted by the letter P1/..” the ARCON explained.
Explaining to the Police, Ukutt said it was one Col. Kingsley Umoh, who was in charge of the Ikeja Military Cantonment Mammy Market at that point that recommended Mr, James Onyemenam to Woobs Resources Ltd, whom had represented to him to be a qualified and a licensed architect and whom he was sure could do a good job to meet the standards and expectations of the Nigerian Army.
Following a meeting with his client, Onyemenam in a bid to convince Woobs Resources Ltd that he is a licensed architect by the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria and running an architectural firm, -Bridgeways Global Proyects Ltd, took Woobs and showed them some projects purported to have been designed and carried out by Bridgeways Global Projects Ltd at Lekki, Lagos State.
“As a result of the representation by Mr, James Uchechukwu Onyemenam that he is a licensed architect by the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria, our client engaged him as the architect to design and supervise the construction of the Arena Market in 2006″ Ukutt said.
Ukutt stated that upon the engagement of Onyemenam and his architectural firm – Bridgeways Global Projects Ltd, he produced architectural designs/drawings for the project in 2006 and construction works started in January, 2007. Sequel to the representation of Mr. James Uchechukwu Onyemenam as a licensed architect and on which capacity he was engaged, he charged professional fees using his Architectural Firm – Bridgeways Global Projects Limited for the architectural designs and supervision of the Arena Market construction work in accordance with the scale of fees approved by the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria for himself and his Architectural Firm”.
January 24, 2022
Federal High Court Begins Annual Vacation
The Federal High Court on Monday commenced its annual vacation for the year 2021.
In a circular by the Chief Registrar of the Court, Mr Emmanuel Gakko, the vacation would end on Friday, Sept. 17, while court activities would resume on Sept. 20.
According to Gakko, some courts in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt divisions will remain functional to cater for cases of extreme urgency during the period.
He said litigants were at liberty to approach any of the aforementioned divisions, nearest to them for litigation.
Meanwhile in Lagos, Hon. Justice Nicholas Oweibo had been assigned to sit as vacation judge during the period.
The circular reads: “The Federal High Court of Nigeria wishes to notify the General Public, Lawyers, and litigants, that the honourable courts annual vacation for the year 2021 shall commence on Monday, July 26, 2021, and end on Friday Sept. 17, 2021.
“However, Abuja, Lagos, and Port-Harcourt judicial divisions will be functional to cater for cases of extreme urgency during the vacation.
“The litigating public will be at liberty to approach only the functional courts located nearest to them.
“The court will resume in all judicial divisions on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021,”the circular read.
July 26, 2021
Federal High Court probed over discrepancies in staff salaries
Federal High Court probed over discrepancies in staff salaries
The Senate is probing the Federal High court over discrepancies in staff salaries.
It demanded the Federal High Court Personnel Cashbook following a query raised by the Auditor General for the Federation.
The Chairman, Senate Public Accounts Committee, Senator Mathew Urhoghide, gave the directive following the inability of the FHC management to explain a difference of N456m in its staff salaries.
The AuGF had in his query, faulted the personnel cashbook balance from January to December 2015.
The query read, “Personnel Account Cashbook from January to December, 2015 was N2.4bn while the transcript closing balance was N2.9bn giving an unexplained N456m in the Personnel Account Cashbook.
“The Chief Registrar has been requested to reconcile the difference and forward the reconciliation for audit verification.”
The Federal High Court sent a written response to the Committee, explaining that the cash book contains separate salaries of judges and those of the staff.
The written response read, “In the personnel cashbook, judges’ and staff salaries are usually prepared separately; these figures are summed up under corresponding line-items in the transcript.
“The total sum of closing balance as extracted from personnel cashbook of 2015 is N3bn. The sum picked from February to July was the closing balances only, while omitting the judges’ closing balances. These omissions amount to the differences observed by the auditors.”
The panel chairman, who was not satisfied with the written submission, asked the FHC to submit its personnel cashbook for the committee’s perusal.
Efforts by the officials of FHC, led by the Chief Accountant of the Federal High Court, Kazeem Awoyemi, to defend the unexplained N456m were rejected by the lawmakers.
The Committee also tackled the Federal High Court for paying N18m meant for 38 officers into a single account.
It was stated in the AuGF query that that there were no evidence that the 37 other officers were actually paid by the Federal High Court.
Officials of the FHC admitted that it could be an error because all the affected officers were paid.
November 28, 2020
Federal High Court CJ, others self isolate over COVID-19 scare
The Chief Judge (CJ) of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Tsoho has gone on self isolation and ordered some key staff in his office to do same.
They are to remain in isolation pending the outcome of screening tests conducted on the CJ, members of his immediate family and close aids, following a confirmed case of COVID -19 among his official aids.
The court’s Acting Information Officer, Catherine Oby Nwandu made this public a statement issued on Friday.
The statement reads: “The Honorable, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho has gone on self isolation and ordered some key staff in his office to do same, pending the results of screening tests done for the Chief Judge, members of his immediate family and close aids, following a confirmed case of COVID -19 among his official aids.
“The Federal High Court recognizes that health and safety are paramount in the sphere of justice delivery.
“The court is thus following medical protocols and all precautionary measures for the COVID – 19 prescribed by global and national health authorities.
“His lordship has further encouraged strict compliance with the precautionary medical protocols issued by national and international health authorities to curb the spread of COVID 19.
“He urged the staff of the court to go about their lawful duties, while ensuring that they are well protected.
“The Chief Judge is deeply moved by the prayers and well wishes of colleagues, staff, extended family and friends and appreciates them for keeping faith at this moment. ”
‎The court, in a circular on Friday, directed the fumigation of all offices in the court building in Abuja.
The circular by Deputy Director, Administration, Mrs. Maimunat B. Folarin‎ reads: “I am directed to inform you that the Chief Registrar has requested the fumigaton of all the offices, including court halls, judges’ chambers, Chief Registrar’s office, Accounts, Stores, Admin, library, litigation offices at the headquarters on Saturday 18th July 2020, commencng from 10am prompt.
“It would be highly appreciated if you will detail one of your staff to supervise the opening and locking up of your office(s)‎ on the aforesaid date.”

July 17, 2020
Edo APC crisis: Federal High Court dismisses forgery suit against lawmaker-elect
The Federal High Court sitting in Benin city and presided over by Hon. Justice M G. Umar has dismissed a certificate forgery suit filed by Nosa Victor Omoregie of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against Hon. Dumez Ugiagbe of the All Progressive Congress (APC). Both parties had contested the 9th March 2019 House of Assembly elections to represent Ovia North East Constituency I and Ugiagbe were declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). But Omoregie had approached the Federal High Court and had amongst other prayers urged the court to declare that the defendant was not qualified to contest the said election haven allegedly tendered a forged / fake West African Senior School Certificate to INEC and to ultimately declaring that he be sworn in being the first runner up in the election.
LG chairmen However, Hon. Dumez Ugiagbe had by a Motion on Notice challenged the jurisdiction of the court filed by his Counsel Paul Osarenkhoe Esq. leading E.O. Oviosu Esq. and urged the court to dismiss the suit has failed to deliver its Judgment within 180 days as provided for by Section 285 (10) of the 1999 Constitution 4th alteration No. 21. Upon argument on both sides, the Court in a considered Ruling upheld the arguments of Paul Osarenkhoe Esq learned counsel for the Applicant and dismissed the claim against Hon Dumez Ugiagbe in its entirety. Osarenkhoe told Vanguard yesterday that “This is a matter in which there was an allegation of certificate forgery and the claimant was asking for a declaration that there was a forgery. “They called two witnesses and they were cross-examined: one from INEC and one from WAEC, subsequently we filed an application stating that the court has lost jurisdiction to continue to entertain the matter haven failed to deliver judgment and we asked that the case be dismissed.”
February 19, 2020
Court grants bail to Adoke in money laundering case
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), on fresh money laundering charges.
Justice Binta Nyako also granted bail to the second defendant, Aliyu Abubakar.
The judge imposed the same terms and conditions of the bail earlier granted them by Justice Idris Kutigi of the Gwagwalada Division of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on January 30.
Justice Kutigi had granted each of the men N50m bail with a surety, each.
Adopting the same conditions on Monday, Justice Nyako directed that Tue defendants should deposit their passport with the FCT High Court.
Defence lawyers – Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Mr. Olalekan Ojo(SAN), who said their clients had already met the bail conditions, pleaded with the court to make a specific order barring the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from re-arresting them once the release order is served on the commission.
The judge said such order would not be necessary as there would be no basis for their rearrest or continued detention once the court’s release order is served.
Adoke and Abubakar had earlier pleaded not guilty to the seven counts of making payments of dollar equivalent of about N600m in violation of money laundering law.
The prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, alleged that they committed the offences in September 2013.
The judge fixed April 1 and 2 for trial.
February 10, 2020