Empire Energy filling Station, located along Owerri-Naze road, Owerri, has been sealed on the orders of an Owerri High Court.
The Court had on November 28th, 2019, ordered the sealing of the business premises and reverted the ownership to Dr.Phillip Njemanze, former Chairman, Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, and Chairman, African Anti Abortion Coalition.
Justice N.B Ukoha who entered judgment in Njemanze’s favour, declared that “the plaintiff is the rightful holder of the statutory right of occupancy in and over the developed property known as and called Plot C, in parcel B, within Naze Industrial layout, Owerri North LGA, which is subject of Certificate of Occupancy, dated 19/11/2015 and registered as No 46 at page 46 in volume 308 of the lands registry Owerri”
The Judge also ruled that the purported revocation or determination of the statutory Certificate of Occupancy dated 19/1/1995, and registered as No 46 at page 46 in volume 308 of the lands Registry in the office at Owerri vide revocation order, dated 24/5/2013, is null and void, illegal, unlawful, vindictive and therefore of no effect
The Court effected the order yesterday, Wednesday, August 5, 2020.
According to a statement by Njemanze and available to INNONEWS, the order was delayed from being executed due to the Covid 19 lockdown.
He alleged that the then government of Rochas Okorocha had in reprisal for his kicking against abortion law (Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law No 12, of 2013, confiscated his land site meant for the building of his private medical facility, Chidicon Medical Centre Ultra Modern hospital.
According to him, the hospital site was demolished and repurposed for a filling station known as Empire Energy Filling Station on Owerri- Aba road, Naze, in Owerri North Local Government.
Njemanze had in 2013 raised an alarm that the Okorocha administration had signed law No. 12 which legalized abortion.
The then State government denied the claims, which was later repealed by the Imo State House of Assembly.
