The proprietor of Empire Oil limited, Comrade Benneth Okorie is said to have run into trouble for violating court order restraining him and his agents from entering the premises of Empire Oil located along Aba Road, Owerri.The property was owned by the cerebral medical doctor, Dr Philip Njemanze before ex-governor Rochas Okorocha forcefully revoked the land and gave out same to one of his cronies.
The court presided over by Justice V Onyeka had recently delivered a landmark judgement quashing the revocation of a vast portion of the land belonging to Dr Philip Njemanze by former governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha.The court ordered the occupants of the land to vacate for the original owner to take full possession of the property but the defendant, Okolie and his agents in a total disregard to court order entered the premises to resume business.
The defendant, represented by Barr Ndukwe A. Nnawuchi, SAN and the plaintiff, Represented by Barr Ken Njemanze, SAN were in court yesterday to argue the committal of the defendant(Empire oil) and staff for contempt of court in violating the execution of the judgement.Their actions run contrary to the order of the court.
In his defence, Barr Nnawuchi argued that the portion of the property that was opened for business is not among the area under litigation.The Judge later adjourned to a later day to confirm the claims of the defendants.
It would be recalled that Okorocha had during his tenure revoked land belonging Dr Njemanze and gave same to Okolie.Njemanze who felt his fundamental right to own property in Nigeria has been infringed upon, proceeded to court to seek redress.
