Owerri indigenes have not rested on their oars over the demolition of their ancestral Eke Ukwu market by the Imo State government.
The people have dragged the State Governor, Rochas Okorocha to court challenging the demolition of the market despite a restraining court order. They are also demanding a N100 billion naria compensation.
This is the take of 12 representatives of the people who are asking the court to make Okorocha pay the sum as exemplary damages for the said unlawful and unconstitutional acts.
Alongside the governor that was taken to court include the State House of Assembly, and the state Attorney General The suit was filed by Chief T.O.S Oparaugo and 11 others for themselves and on behalf Of Owerri community.
Chief Unoruka Udechukwu (SAN) filed the suit on the plantiff’s behalf and is leading a team of lawyers including two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, K.C.O Njemanze and N.A Nnawuchi.
In the originating summons with NO: HOW/695/2017 filed on September 13, 2017, the plantiffs are asking the court whether their forcible removal from the Eke Ukwu Owere market situate at Owerri and the demolition of the said market despite the subsistence of a pending suit, and a restraining Court Order, and a fortiori, without any enabling judicial order, does not constitute an act of state Executive impunity and grave violation of the provisions of sections 6(1) (2) (3); 36 (1) 188 (11) and 287(3) of the 1999 constitution.
“ whether by virtue of sections of 6(6)and 272 of the 1999 constitution, the court has the inherent and constitutional power and vires to reverse the said acts of the 1st defendant, removing the plaintiffs their Eke Ukwu Owere market situate at Owerri and the demolition of the said market which acts were done despite the subsistence of restraining court order and a fortori without any enabling judicial order”
“ And whether the plaintiffs are entitled to compensation to be determined by the court for injuries and damages caused them by the said acts of executive impunity and gave violation of the provisions of the constitution by the 1st defendant through elements by the 1st defendant.
The case has not been assigned to a judge yet.