A High Court sitting in Owerri has restrained former Governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha, from having further access to a property located at Plot 2001c Capitol Presidential layout, New Owerri, Imo State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion On Notice for interlocutory injunction.
The Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice T.E Emeka- Chikeka gave the Order in suit no: How/927/2019 between the Governor of Imo State, Attorney General of Imo State, Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Physical Planning (plaintiffs) and Owelle Rochas Ethelbert Anayo Okorocha (Defendant).
He restrained the former Governor of the State from the property directing that the status quo remains.
Restraining order delivered by Justice Chikeka
“It is hereby ordered in the interim that the Defendant (Okorocha), either by himself, servants, agents, workmen, subordinates and/or person(s) claiming through or under him be and is hereby restrained; that is, maintaining the status quo as at today, which is for the Chief Security Officer (C.S.O) of the State Government, by name Chudy Ibe, to remain in possession of the subject matter of this Suit, to wit, plot 2001c Capitol Presidential Layout, New Owerri, Imo State; pending the hearing and determination of the Motion On Notice for Interlocutory Injunction”
Justice T.E Emeka Chikeka said the court “upon considering the motion ex parte filed on 23/08/2019, brought pursuant to Order 39 Rules 1 (1) and 3 (1) of the Imo State High Court (Civil Procedure)Rules, 2017 and under the inherent jurisdiction of this Honourable Court as preserved under Section 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; together with affidavit in support and written address, praying this Honourable Court for an Order of Interim Injunction restraining the Defendant (Okorocha) and after hearing M.C Uwasomba, S.G/P.S of Counsel for the Plaintiffs/Applicants with I.I Amadi, Esq, D.D.C.L and B.N Amaghereonu Esq, A.D.C.L, who urged the Court to maintain status quo as at today, which is for the Chief Security Officer (C.S.O) of the State Government, by name Chudy Ibe, to remain in possession of the subject matter of this Suit until the determination of the Motion on Notice”
According to the presiding judge, the Court took the above into consideration “to avoid any breakdown of peace, law and order.
He adjourned the matter to 11/09/2019 for hearing of Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.