International Market: Community members urge Enugu govt to halt lawlessness …C0NTINUE READING HERE >>>
The dispute over the ongoing International Market project in Opi, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State is not yet over as community members have called on the Enugu State Government to halt what they called a descent into lawlessness.
Their call came in view of the continuation of the market project despite the pendency of the matter before an Enugu State High Court.
In the suit No: N/6/2023, the plaintiffs are asking the court for “AN ORDER of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants/respondents either by themselves, servants, privies, agents, cronies, assigns, those claiming through or under them howsoever named from interfering, entering, further entering and; or building on the plaintiffs respective portions of land forming parts of the large expanse of land called Oli Oma measuring about 99.9 hectares situate at Aka Ibute Uwelu, Ogbozara Community, Opi Town, Nsukka, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”
The plaintiffs, who include Barr. Okoro Chukwuma, Chukwuka Ezema, Ezema James Ikechukwu, Ugwuomeie Chibueze, Ugwu Boniface, Mr. Ezema Chidozie, Charles Ugwuonah 8. Ferdinand Ugwuanyi, Angella Ugwuanyi, Fredrick Ugwuanyi and Paschal Ugwuagbo, sued for themselves and the other aggrieved members of Umu Owulla, Umuijija, Uma Ugwuede, Umuegwuru and Umuezeaguliyi Villages of Aka Ibute Uwachu, Ogbozara, Opi.
Joined as defendants are the Governor of Enugu State, the Attorney General, Enugu State, Registered Trustees Of Eastern Bridge International Market Union and six others.
In a motion on notice brought pursuant to Order 39 Rule 1 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2020, the plaintiffs prayed the court to halt further work on the disputed land.
However, speaking to journalists on Thursday on behalf of the affected members of the community, Mr Ezema Chidozie said it was regrettable that some parties to the suit were taking laws into their own hands.
He said, “in a sane society, it is expected that when a matter is in court, parties should maintain the status quo, but this has not happened.
“This is pure resort to self help; but I am sorry for those doing this because this is no longer a community land; it has been shared; it was shared in my presence, but one person just woke up and sold off the entire land.
“I am only sorry for those investing there because the money is a waste; they can’t recover it.
“They have violated a lot of things there; what I’m seeing is a waste of energy; waste of resources.
“The government should do the right thing; they should follow the rule of law. They cannot just come into someone’s land and take it without following due process, without compensation.
“This is a clear manipulation from a few persons who are hiding under the government; our investigation shows that the government is not really involved.
“Many people are crying; economic trees that have been destroyed there are unquantifiable.”
Meanwhile, in the suit before the court, the plaintiffs are seeking “A DECLARATION that the plaintiffs are entitled to the right of occupancy over the portions of the large expanse of land known as and called OLI OMA lying, being and situate at Akabuite Uwelu, Ogbozara, Opi, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State measuring above 99.9 hectares purportedly acquired by the 1” and 2nd defendants from the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th defendants and in favour of the 8th and 9th defendants.
“A DECLARATION that the attempts of the defendants to takeover, acquire, alienate and or give away the entire large expanse of land measuring above 99,9 hectares known as and called OLI OMA situate at Akabuite Uwelu, Ogbozara Community, Opi town Nsukka, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, being the property portions of which belong to the plaintiffs without outright purchase, sale compensation or due process of acquisition is illegal and unlawful.
“A DECLARATION that the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th defendants or their agents, privies, servants or any other person howsoever described acting on their behalf do not possess the sole rights of occupancy of the entire large expanse of land measuring about 99.9 hectares known as and called OLI OMA lying, being and situate at Aka Ibute Uwelu, Ogbozara Opi, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
“AN ORDER to set aside the purported acquisition of the entire large expanse of land known as and called OLI OMA lying, being and situate at Akabuite Uwelu, Ogbozara, Opi, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State measuring above 99.9 hectares containing the portions/pieces of land respectively belonging to the plaintiffs by the 1st and 2nd defendants in favour of the 8th and 9th defendants.
“AN ORDER to set aside any purported memorandum of understanding entered into by the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th defendants with any of the other defendants or any other person howsoever described purporting to sale, alienate, transfer right of occupancy of the entire large expanse of OLI OMA land situate at Akabuite Uwelu, Ogbozara, Opi, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State particularly portions belonging to the plaintiffs.
“AN ORDER of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants either by themselves, their agents, privies servants or any other person (s) howsoever described from entering or further entering or acting negatively against the plaintiffs right of ownership in respect of their respective portion of the land contained and; or forming part of the large expanse of OLI OMA land measuring about 99.9 hectares situate at Aka Ibute Uwelu, Ogbozara Opi, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.”
Through their lawyer, Calistus Chidi Eze, Esq, the plaintiffs are also seeking One Billion Naira (N1,000,000,000.00) special damages, as well as N200,000,000.00 general damages.
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