A High Court in Owerri the Imo State capital on Thursday issued an interim injunction restraining the Imo State government from going ahead with the demolition of structures at the Central Market Layout.
The order, delivered by Justice I.C. Ibeawuchi, specifically bars Governor Hope Uzodimma and five other officials of the State from taking further steps toward the forceful demolition of the structures.
The injunction was granted following a suit brought by plaintiffs who own and operate businesses within the Central Market Layout.
The court warned against any attempts to forcibly eject the plaintiffs from the structures they had built on the land.
It also ordered a halt to the ongoing construction of perimeter fencing around the plaintiffs’ structures until the hearing and decision on the motion for an Interlocutory Injunction filed by the Plaintiffs/Applicants.
The order states: “An Order of Interim Injunction is hereby granted, restraining the Defendants, whether by themselves or through their agents, servants, assigns, heirs, privies, or any other individuals acting on their behalf, from proceeding with any actions that further the forceful demolition of structures built by the Plaintiffs on the land known as the central market layout in Owerri, Imo State, pending the hearing and determination of the motion for Interlocutory Injunction filed by the Plaintiffs/Applicants.”
Speaking to journalists, the plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Christian Nwadigo, said his clients included the Incorporated Board of Trustees of Rhema Life Ministry International and Sunway Global Properties Limited.
Other plaintiffs were Zero-One Global Properties Limited, Ekpereamaka Nwankwo, and Nwankwo Emmanuel, representing themselves and all landowners within the Central Market layout in Owerri, Imo State.
Nwadigo added that his clients were seeking a court ruling to reaffirm their property ownership and to award compensation for the demolished properties.
Other defendants named in the case 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).
