A high court sitting in Owerri has reaffirmed the earlier judgement delivered in favour of the plaintiff regarding ownership of the vast portion of land on which the Empire Energy fuel Station situates along Aba Road, Owerri.
In the case with suite number HOW/919/2013,involving Dr Philip Njemanze of Chidicon Medical Centre vs Governor of IMO State, Attorney General of IMO State, Commissioner for Lands Survey and Urban Planning, Hon Robertson Ekwebelem and Royal Rondek Nigeria Ltd, the court,though presided over by another judge reaffirmed its earlier judgement.
The original judgement was delivered by Hon Justice NB Ukoha on 28th November 2019, which awarded the land to Dr Philip Njemanze.
Subsequently, Empire Energy approached the court to set aside the judgement and claimed not to be a party to the original suit. Holden on 25/1/2021 in High Court of Owerri, before Hon. Justice K.A. Ojiako, in his ruling, the court reaffirmed that the judgement in favour of Dr Njemanze on the land in dispute stands. However, Hon Justice Ojiako admonished the belief on procedural violation in the execution of the eviction process.
He noted that all eviction papers served to Empire Energy to vacate the area must have the signature of a serving judge since Hon. Justice Ukoha who delivered the judgement was now retired.
He noted that this should be done forthrightly to accomplish the eviction order. The parties undertook to comply with ruling of the court.
