Court bars Akwa Ibom AG, others from road construction

An Abia State High Court has granted an order of interim injunction restraining any attack or construction at a disputed land located at Okirika Obu, Ndoki, Ukwa-East Local government Area of the State.

The order followed an experte application filed by Ephraim Nwankwo and nine others, praying the court to so hold. The order is restraining the defendants or their representatives from attacking the claimants or constructing in the disputed land, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, which has already been filed.

Listed as defendants are the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for Akwa-Ibom State, Ika Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State, Chief John Jumbo and Ogbonna Linus (Otherwise known as Monday Linus).

The trial judge, Thomas Adiele also ordered that the claimants would pay adequate damages to the defendants, if it turns out that the order ought not to have been made in the first place.

Nwankwo had filed a suit on behalf of Akirika Obu community following threat and destructive activities in the community under the disguise of road construction. He also claimed that “we are the indigene and occupants of the Akirika Obu community otherwise known in Decree No. 23 of 1985 as Ikot Udo Ika.

“And that from the time of South Eastern States, Cross River State and Akwa-Ibom have been making surreptitious moves to annex and make Akirika Obu part of Ika Anang in Ika Local government of Akwa-Ibom State.”

The claimants added that as a result of this, the federal government set up the Alhaji Kaloma Ali Boundary Ascertainment Commission to investigate and ascertain the real problem between the then Imo and Cross-River State.

Nwankwo stated further that in spite of this, the defendants have continuously sponsored more attacks on Akirika-Obu and destroying properties in the community. The claimant also said the defendants have continue to construct all manners of structures, including building in primary schools compound without the authority of the community. The matter comes up tomorrow April 12, 2017 for hearing.