By Everest Ezihe, Owerri
An Owerri High Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Imo State Government and four other defendants from further acts of trespass on the disputed Umuocha Avu ancestral land located along the Port Harcourt–Owerri Expressway.
The order was granted by Justice Eke in Suit No. HOW/83/2026, pending the ruling on an interlocutory injunction application fixed for October 22, 2026.
The defendants in the suit are the Imo State Government, the Attorney-General of Imo State, Imo Housing Corporation, Vertex Estate Limited and Michael Onyekachi.
The interim order followed an application by counsel to the plaintiffs, Barr. Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume (SAN), who informed the court that the defendants had continued to demolish structures and allegedly trespass on the disputed land despite the matter being before the court.
The court subsequently restrained the defendants from further actions on the land pending determination of the interlocutory application.
The plaintiffs, the people of Umuocha Avu in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, had earlier instituted the suit against the defendants, alleging unlawful entry into their ancestral land, destruction of houses, palm plantations, farmlands and other economic trees.
They maintained that they are the bona fide owners of the land and argued that their customary right of occupancy has neither been lawfully revoked nor has any compensation been paid to them.
According to the plaintiffs, the alleged entry, occupation and demolition carried out by the third, fourth and fifth defendants amount to acts of trespass.
They are seeking a declaration that the purported acquisition of the land is unlawful, contending that the provisions and procedures stipulated under the Land Use Act were not followed.
The plaintiffs also urged the court to nullify the alleged allocation of portions of the ancestral land by the first and third defendants to the fourth and fifth defendants.
In addition, they are asking the court to grant an order of possession directing the defendants to immediately vacate the disputed land and restore possession to the Umuocha Avu community.
Justice Eke adjourned the matter to October 22, 2026, for ruling on the interlocutory injunction application.
