Court Chides NIHOTOUR Boss For Disobedience Of Court Order To Maintain Status Quo

A Federal High Court Judge in Lagos, Justice Lewis-Allagoa, has expressed his displeasure over the refusal of the Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism [NIHOTOUR] Dr. Abisoye Fagade to obey his order that the parties in the suit between the institute and Hotel Owners and Managers Association of Lagos [HOMAL] maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the case filed by HOMAL slated for hearing in September.

The judge expressed his displeasure when HOMAL returned to court on Monday, June 23 to report to the court that its order has been violated by the institute. HOMAL filed an affidavit of urgency saying it can’t wait till September hearing date since NIHOTOUR has started hotel registration enforcement.

The judge’s ire was drawn when HOMAL’s counsel, Bode Iranloye complained that despite pendency of the case and the ruling of the court that parties should maintain status quo, NIHOTOUR had gone ahead to start enforcement exercise.

The Enforcement Team of NIHOTOUR, accompanied by policemen had stormed the premises of some hotels in Lagos on Tuesday, June 10, Wednesday, June 11 and Friday June 13 to enforce compliance by these hotels.

Adeniyi Ologun, the Director General of HOMAL had explained his association’s disagreement with NIHOTOUR, he said: “We know that NIHOTOUR made demand that members of HOMAL, among other hotels, should register. They said the registration would commence with the top management members that they should register with NIHOTOUR so that the institute can certify their qualification so to say.

They said the enabling law of NIHOTOUR, which is the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 requires that of all practitioners. HOMAL said that this might be against the Supreme Court ruling in 2013 which specifically made tourism and hospitality subject to state legislations. Like every responsible organisation, we decided to go to court to find out whether their request is validly made or not.

So, we approached the court, and the court proceedings commenced on May 21, 2025.  At the court, after the exchange of legal documents, the case was adjourned to September 30, 2025.

I remember the HOMAL lawyer specifically informed the court that NIHOTOUR has been forceful for the registration and certification of our members, which the court needs to give order that all parties maintain the status quo.

By Our Reporter