A state high Court, sitting in Owerri, the Imo state capital, has issued an order of interim injunction, restraining the state government from unlawfully demolishing any part of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) office.
Delivering the Judgement, Presiding Judge, Chukwuemeka Chikeka, in her order, asked both parties to maintain status quo and respect the pendency of the suit, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
The judge therefore, fixed December 19, 2016, for hearing the motion.
Justice Chikeka said: “considering the motion ex-partre brought pursuant to order 39 rule 3 (1), (2) and (3) of the Imo State High Court (Civil procedure) rules, 2008 and under the inherent jurisdiction of this honorable Court; together with affidavit in support and written address, praying the court for an order of interim injunction, restraining the defendants or her agents from unlawfully demolishing, pulling down or disobeying or in whatsoever manner tempering or unlawfully trespassing into the claimants property or disturbing the claimants occupation or ownership of the properly known as NBA Bar Centre, situated within the Imo State judiciary complex without complying with the relevant provisions of the public lands (Compulsory acquisition) laws of the state pending the determination of the motion on notice”.
Addressing newsmen, shortly after the order was given, the Chairman of NBA, Owerri branch, Barr. Lawrence Nwakaeti, advised the Governor to obey the court order to avoid anarchy.
According to him, “anarchy looms in a society where there is no respect for separation of powers amongst the three arms of government.”
