Calabar High Court Restrains C'River Gov't From Taking Over CREL Rubber Estates In Akamkpa, Biase
By Ndifereke BASSEY
A High Court sitting in Calabar and presided over by Justice E. T. Ebuta has granted an order of interim injunction restraining Cross River state government, its agents, principal, officers and servants from Taking over or sealing or using former CREL Estates situated at Akamkpa and Biase local government areas.
Ruling in a case with Suit No. HC/162/2024 on July 8, 2024between Enghuat Industries Limited (applicants) and Cross River state Government and the Cross River State Privatization Council (Defendants/respondents), Justice Ebuta further restrained the defendants from using the claimant’s land or demolishing/destroying the xlaimant’s assets, buildings/structures or carrying on any act whatsoever that would interfere with claimant’s peaceful possession.
He also restrained the defendants/respondents jointly and severally, their principal, officers, servants, agents or otherwise howsoever called from entering upon, sealing or using the claimant’s land or demolishing/destroying the claimant’s assets, buildings/structures or carrying on any act whatsoever that would interfere with claimant’s peaceful possession, use and enjoyment of the.
The Court ordered that the claimant’s parcel of land, formerly known as the Cross River Estate Limited ( CREL) Rubber Estates, measuring approximately, 5528.8 hectares at Akiridam, Boam and Uyanga Estates in Akamkpa local government area of Cross River State should not tempered with.
It further ordered that the claimant’s parcel of land formerly known as CREL Rubber Estates , measuring approximately 18,537.00 Sq Hectares at Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State as well as the claimant’s parcel of land at UWET ESTATE, formerly known as CREL Rubber Estates, measuring approximately 2895.6 Hectares situate at Akamkpa/ Biase local government areas of Cross River State, should not be equally tempered with pending the determination of the claimant’s motion.
The motion on notice for Interlocutory injunction has fixed for July 17, 2024.
According to the counsel to the claimant/applicant, A.O.OSUM, SAN, (who has given us a certified copy of the Orders of the Court), the Enghuat Industries Limited had instituted an action in the High Court of Cross River State challenging the purported notice of revocation of the claimant’s rights over the said Estates by the government of Cross River state.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria has also enjoined all the parties to respect the authority of the Court and the principle of the rule of law by complying fully with the Orders of the Honourable Court.
