Abuja Court Throws Out Criminal Case Against Whiterose Group CEO Over Jurisdictional Flaws

An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court has dismissed a criminal complaint filed against the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Whiterose Group, Mrs. Shakirat Ayobami Kareem, citing lack of jurisdiction and the incompetence of the suit.
The ruling was delivered by Magistrate Sunday A. A. Adukwu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chief Magistrate Court, Abuja, who struck out the case in its entirety.
Reacting in a press statement following the judgment, Mrs. Kareem disclosed that the complaint was secretly filed in 2025 by a woman identified as Adebinpe Abidemi Ogunjimi, through Yakubu Eleto Chambers, without her knowledge or proper service.
According to the statement, the complainant allegedly appeared before the court under a false identity, presenting herself as “Adebinpe Musadoluwa Audullai”, despite being traceable through valid identification records and the United Kingdom electoral roll.
Mrs. Kareem was listed as the second defendant in the suit alongside Nollywood actress Elizabeth Aishat Anjorin, popularly known as Lizzy Anjorin. She stated that she had no relationship or prior dealings with the actress and had never met her.
The complainant accused the defendants of criminal defamation, conduct likely to breach public peace, and the publication of allegedly false and defamatory statements.
Mrs. Kareem, however, maintained that she was never served with any court process, adding that an order for substituted service was allegedly obtained using an address she had never visited.
She explained that her office, Whiterose Mall, is a prominent commercial property located at 6 Adewunmi Adebimpe Drive, Lekki Phase One, Lagos, and that the complainant, her spouse and legal counsel were well aware of her Lagos residence and business address, having previously communicated with her via WhatsApp.
She also questioned why the matter was instituted in Abuja when all parties involved and the alleged events were linked to Lagos State.
During the proceedings, counsel to the first defendant, A.U. Ogboi, raised a preliminary objection, challenging the court’s jurisdiction and the competence of the direct criminal complaint. The objection cited improper service, lack of jurisdiction, defective summons, abuse of court process and an insufficient affidavit of urgency.
After reviewing submissions from counsel and relevant legal authorities, Magistrate Adukwu upheld the objection, resolving all issues in favour of the defendants.
The court subsequently dismissed and struck out the complaint for want of jurisdiction and incompetence, while also awarding monetary costs against the complainant.
Reacting to the verdict, Mrs. Kareem described the ruling as a victory for justice and due process.
“I give thanks to the judiciary system, the Federal Capital Territory Chief Magistrate Court, and everyone working in the judiciary system for ensuring that justice prevailed,” she said.