A State High Court Sitting in Owerri, The Imo Capital, Has Ordered the Imo Government to Stop the Demolition of Structures at the Central Market Layout, Owerri.
The judge, Hon. Justice I. C. Ibeawuchi, gave the order of interim injunction against Uzodimma and five others, on Thursday.
The order of interim injunction barred the defendants from taking “any further steps in forceful demolition of the structures erected on the piece of land known as the central market layout Owerri Imo State “.
The order of Court warned against forcefully ejecting the Plaintiffs from the structures erected by them (plaintiffs) on the piece of land known as central market layout Owerri Imo State.
It also warned against further construction of the ongoing perimeter fencing work around the structures erected by the plaintiffs pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed by the Plaintiffs/Applicants.
It reads thus: “Order of Interim Injunction is hereby granted restraining the Defendants either by themselves or through their agents, servants, assigns, heirs, privies or any other person acting on their behalf from taking any further steps in furtherance of the forceful demolition of the structures erected by the Plaintiffs on the piece of land known as the central market layout Owerri Imo State pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed by the Plaintiffs.
Speaking to newsmen, counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Christian Nwadigo, said his clients included the Incorporated Board of Trustees of Rhema Life Ministry International and Sunway Global Properties limited.
Others were Zero-one Global Properties limited; Ekpereamaka Nwankwo and Nwankwo Emmanuel for themselves and on behalf of all owners of the land within the Central Market layout Owerri, in Imo.
Nwadigo said that his clients were seeking the determination of a suit praying the Court to restore owner of their property as well as award due compensations for demolished property.
He added that he was concerned about the rights of the plaintiffs to possessing legal acquired property and the strengthening of property rights laws in the country.
Other defendants in the matter however include the Owerri Central Market complex
Development and Investment Company limited; Donez Global Services Limited; Joe Johnny Jayson Enterprises Limited; the Attorney General of Imo state and the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM).
C- Advocate therefore commends the Nigerian Judiciary for its efforts to strengthen extant laws including property rights irrespective of inherent challenges.
Owners of legally acquired property should be able to rest, assured that their rights are protected by law.
Imo people must hold on to the tenets of the rule of law and respect for human rights to achieve equity in society and progressive development of the state and nation at large.