Court Freezes Shoprite Nigeria Directors’ Assets Over ₦1.76bn Judgment Debt

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos has placed a legal freeze on the directors of Shoprite Nigeria, restraining them from selling or transferring the company’s shares, assets, or property until a ₦1.76 billion judgment debt is fully settled.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa issued the order following an ex parte application filed on behalf of two Nigerian firms — African Retail Tabloid Limited (ARTL) and UEL Global Resources Limited — which had previously won court-approved settlements against Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited, the entity that operates Shoprite in Nigeria.

The court directed the directors to fully disclose all movable and immovable assets belonging to the company, including its distribution centre in Ajao, Lagos, and all relevant trademarks. Director Jide Ogundare was specifically named in the disclosure order. The matter has been adjourned to May 7, 2026.

How It Got Here

The dispute traces back to consent judgments entered on July 22, 2025, after both firms filed separate claims against the company. ARTL had originally sought the winding-up of Shoprite Nigeria over an alleged ₦440 million debt. When the company failed to comply with the settlement, the current enforcement proceedings followed — with the ex parte application filed on November 21, 2025.

Shoprite had a turbulent run in Nigeria, announcing a full exit in 2020 before later revising those plans. The latest court action makes clear that legacy obligations from that period remain very much unresolved.

Sources: TheCable