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By Tracy Moses
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued an order restraining the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), its Registrar-General, and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development from taking any further steps regarding the alleged deregistration of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).
The ruling followed a suit instituted by the leadership of the NYCN, led by its President, Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, challenging the legality of the move.
In the interim order granted on October 15, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako directed all parties involved to maintain the status quo ante bellum, meaning that the situation must remain as it was before the controversy — pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion.
The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/2142/2025, was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Youth Council of Nigeria and Ambassador Sukubo, who also serves as the secretary of the Council’s Board of Trustees.
The defendants listed include the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Minister of Youth Development, and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
The dispute traces back to the aftermath of Ambassador Sukubo’s re-election as President of the Council. Despite unresolved court matters surrounding the Council’s internal leadership, the Ministry of Youth Development, acting on a directive reportedly issued by the CAC, announced on October 7, 2025, that the NYCN had been deregistered.
That announcement, which the government justified on alleged regulatory compliance grounds, effectively stripped the NYCN of its corporate status as Nigeria’s umbrella youth organization, a decision that stirred widespread condemnation from youth groups and civil society organizations.
In response, the Council’s leadership turned to the court, seeking protection of its legal status and an injunction preventing any further administrative actions until the case is fully determined.
Court’s Position
In the order made available to journalists in Abuja on Friday, Justice Nyako emphasized the need for caution and directed that the matter be taken on notice.
Part of the ruling reads:
“Upon reading the affidavit in support of the Motion Exparte sworn to by Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, and after hearing Mustapha Shaba Ibrahim, SAN, with Sheriff S. Aduke, Esq., counsel for the Claimants/Applicants, the Court hereby orders that this case is best taken on notice. That the status quo ante bellum be maintained. That defendants be put on notice. The case is hereby adjourned to October 28, 2025, for hearing of the Motion on Notice.”
The claimants are seeking, among other reliefs, a restraining order against the CAC and its Registrar-General from withdrawing or invalidating the NYCN’s certificate of incorporation or recognizing any parallel leadership structure pending the outcome of the substantive motion.
They are also asking the court to bar the Minister and Ministry of Youth Development from implementing or enforcing the alleged deregistration notice until a final judgment is delivered.
The matter has been adjourned to October 28, 2025, for the hearing of the Motion on Notice.