Imo Court Issues Injunction Halting Demolition of Structures at Owerri Central Market Layout....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A State High Court in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, has granted an interim injunction preventing the Imo State government from continuing with the demolition of structures at the Central Market Layout. The order, issued by Justice I.C. Ibeawuchi, specifically restrains Governor Hope Uzodimma and five other officials from proceeding with any further demolition activities.

This legal action was initiated by business owners and landowners within the Central Market Layout, who filed a suit to protect their properties from being demolished. The court’s decision, delivered on Thursday, underscores the plaintiffs’ rights to the structures they have built on the land.

Justice Ibeawuchi’s order explicitly prohibits any attempts to forcibly remove the plaintiffs from their properties. Additionally, the court has mandated a suspension of the ongoing construction of perimeter fencing around the plaintiffs’ structures until the hearing and determination of the motion for an Interlocutory Injunction filed by the Plaintiffs/Applicants.

The court’s ruling 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.”

Mr. Christian Nwadigo, the counsel representing the plaintiffs, spoke to journalists following the court’s decision. He revealed that his clients include the Incorporated Board of Trustees of Rhema Life Ministry International, Sunway Global Properties Limited, Zero-One Global Properties Limited, and individuals such as Ekpereamaka Nwankwo and Nwankwo Emmanuel, who are acting on behalf of all landowners within the Central Market Layout.

Nwadigo further explained that his clients are not only seeking to affirm their property ownership but are also pursuing compensation for the properties that have already been demolished.

Among the other defendants named in the case are 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).