The High Court in Imo State has issued an interim injunction against Governor Hope Uzodimma and five other parties, preventing them from continuing the forced demolition of structures at the Central Market Layout in Owerri, Imo State.
Hon. Justice I. C. Ibeawuchi issued the court order, which was announced by lawyer Christian Nwadigo on behalf of the plaintiffs’ legal team. The defendants named in the injunction 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).
The plaintiffs in the case are the Incorporated Board of Trustees of Rhema Life Ministry International, Sunway Global Properties Limited, Zero-One Global Properties Limited, and individuals Ekpereamaka Jessica Nwankwo and Nwankwo Emmanuel, representing all landowners within the Central Market Layout.
The court’s interim injunction prohibits the defendants, their agents, or any representatives from taking further action towards demolishing the plaintiffs’ structures or forcibly ejecting them from the land. It also halts any ongoing perimeter fencing construction around the plaintiffs’ properties.
The injunction will remain in effect for seven days and will be automatically renewed for an additional seven days unless otherwise ordered by the court. The motion for an interlocutory injunction, filed by the plaintiffs, is pending further hearing and determination.
