Court orders arrest of two Imo Govt officials
A Federal High Court in Owerri presided over by Justice Lewis Alagoa, on Thursday, issued warrant of arrest against two top officials of Imo state government for disobedience of an earlier summon issued by the court.
The two affected officials include Dr. Chibuzor Iwuagwu, the Permanent Secretary State Ministry of Works, and Mr. C. E. Egbuka, an engineer and director of works, of the ministry.
The two affected officials include Dr. Chibuzor Iwuagwu, the Permanent Secretary State Ministry of Works, and Mr. C. E. Egbuka, an engineer and director of works, of the ministry.
Justice Alagoa made the order in suit number FHC/OW/133/2016 filed by former Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, against the state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and five others for trying to demolish his property.
The court had on November 14 this year summoned Mrs. Josephine Udoji, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Commissioner for Lands, Survey, and Urban Planning, Lawrence Eburuoh, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works Dr. Iwuagwu, to appear before it.
Also summoned to appear in court on December 8, 2016 were Engr. C. E. Egbuka, the director of works, Ministry of Works, and Mr. Emeka Duru, the Director of Works, Government House Owerri.
The court had on November 14 this year summoned Mrs. Josephine Udoji, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Commissioner for Lands, Survey, and Urban Planning, Lawrence Eburuoh, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works Dr. Iwuagwu, to appear before it.
Also summoned to appear in court on December 8, 2016 were Engr. C. E. Egbuka, the director of works, Ministry of Works, and Mr. Emeka Duru, the Director of Works, Government House Owerri.
When the matter came up for hearing on Thursday, the counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Ken Njemanze (SAN), told the court that they were looking up to the court on the earlier order made against the third to seventh respondents on November 14, this year.
Njemanze told the court that after the order made summoning the third to seventh respondents for the disobedience of court order of July 3 all the respondents after November 14 court session went ahead and demolished part of the plaintiff property.
The counsel however observed that what was discouraging to him was the intentional act of frustrating progress in the suit by the defendants, saying “since the November 14 order, it was only yesterday they counsel to the respondents served me with five processes.’’
He therefore said that it was sad that none of the respondents were in court in spite the information to him that two of the respondents have been duly served by the bailiff of the court.
Njemanze further told the court that the respondents treat the order of the court with levity and contempt, saying “they think they are all above the law that explains the way they behave this way to this honourable court.’’
Njemanze told the court that after the order made summoning the third to seventh respondents for the disobedience of court order of July 3 all the respondents after November 14 court session went ahead and demolished part of the plaintiff property.
The counsel however observed that what was discouraging to him was the intentional act of frustrating progress in the suit by the defendants, saying “since the November 14 order, it was only yesterday they counsel to the respondents served me with five processes.’’
He therefore said that it was sad that none of the respondents were in court in spite the information to him that two of the respondents have been duly served by the bailiff of the court.
Njemanze further told the court that the respondents treat the order of the court with levity and contempt, saying “they think they are all above the law that explains the way they behave this way to this honourable court.’’
Counsel to the defendants, Mrs. J. C. Ibe, told the court that the third to seventh respondents were not in court due to enormity of official engagements before them.
Ibe told the court that they have filed and served notice of appeal, stay of proceeding, notice of preliminary objection and affidavit contesting the contempt order against all the respondents .
After hearing the arguments and counter-arguments by both counsel, Alagoa directed the Inspector-General of Police(IGP) and Imo State Commissioner of Police to arrest Iwuangwu and Egbuka that have been duly served by the bailiff.
The matter was adjourned to January 30, 2017 for continuation of hearing.
Iheancho had gone to court to prevent his property on number 6 Orlu Road Owerri from being demolished by the state government, but since the court action top officials of the state had on three occasions supervised the demolishing of some part of the property.
Ibe told the court that they have filed and served notice of appeal, stay of proceeding, notice of preliminary objection and affidavit contesting the contempt order against all the respondents .
After hearing the arguments and counter-arguments by both counsel, Alagoa directed the Inspector-General of Police(IGP) and Imo State Commissioner of Police to arrest Iwuangwu and Egbuka that have been duly served by the bailiff.
The matter was adjourned to January 30, 2017 for continuation of hearing.
Iheancho had gone to court to prevent his property on number 6 Orlu Road Owerri from being demolished by the state government, but since the court action top officials of the state had on three occasions supervised the demolishing of some part of the property.
