Cattle dealers and residents of Umuchieze Garki Cattle Market in Umunneochi Local Council of Abia State have dragged the state government to court over the planned demolition of illegal structures in the market.

Others joined in the suit are: the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning; State Attorney General; Chairman of Umunneochi Local Council; and the state Police Commissioner.

In the suit (HUM/9/2024) filed jointly by D. O. Agbo and two others, the plaintiffs urged the court to declare that the state government cannot demolish their houses and render them homeless on the ground that their properties constitute illegal structures, without providing them with an alternative site.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.The plaintiffs argued that the state acquired and gave them an empty and undeveloped expanse of land at Umuchieze Umunneochi Local Council in 2005 to occupy for residential, cattle and allied businesses market without any development plan and design; hence, the council chairman (3rd defendant) cannot turn around to demolish their houses.

They also sought a declaration that being residents of, and carrying on their cattle businesses in the said market, they are entitled to be provided an alternative site for residential purpose before the council boss can embark on demolition, as contained in his notice, dated February 13, 2024.

Consequently, the plaintiffs urged the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, either by themselves, agents etc, from demolishing their residential premises within the said cattle market without providing them an alternative site.