Court extends interim Order in land dispute against Oborevwori, others in Delta

Barely a month after restraining the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Attorney-General over the State and Dr. Kennedy Omonuwa from the late Vincent Onome Omonuwa family over a land dispute in Ekpan, a Delta State High Court Justice sitting in the Judicial Division of Effurun on Tuesday August 19 extended an interim order for hearing and determination of a "Motion on Notice"brought before it by a Warri based lawyer,C.U.Umode Esq in a Motion Exparte just as it adjourned the case to 9/9/2025 pending an application.

The Court presided over by Hon. Justice Michael Nduka Obi extended the order in Suit No: HCE/26/2025.

C.U.Umode Esq had on behalf of Chief Mathias Ote, Samuel Akpomejeme(For themselves and on behalf of the members of the Akpomejeme family of Ekpan as Claimants/Applicants in Suit No: HCE/26/2025 against the defendants in an Enrolment Order. 

Upon the oral application by all Counsel, praying this Court for the following orders to wit:

J.E. Irogbo Esq.,:

Rather than hear motion to extend the Intern Order, it would be better to order that status quo be maintained pending the hearing of all application.

A. Tuoyo Utieyione (Mrs): I would pray that the status quo order should be with regards to the Claimants building and land.

C.U. Umode Esq,: The status quo my Lord should be in respect of all that verged red in the survey attached to the motion exparte.

Coming up for hearing and determination before his Lordship the Hon. Justice Michael Nduka Obi, Judge.

The 2nd Claimant is present, others absent. And the Court having heard C.U. Umode Applicant being absent, and the Court having heard C.U. Umode Esq., for the Claimants, A. Tuoyo-Utieyione (Mrs) PSC for the 1st and 2nd Defendant, J.E. Irogbo Esq., for 5th Defendant, ordered as follows:

According to the Court, "I am of the candid view that the Justice would best be met to extend the interim order, to which shall remain force until the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice. Suit is adjourned to 9/9/2025 for hearing of the pending Applications.

Earlier, In an "Enrolment Order" from the Court reads, "An Order of interim injunction retraining the defendants either by themselves or agents, servants, workmen and/or contractors from further tampering and/or renovating the bungalow building of Akpomejeme's family house situate in Egbesaba land along Refinery road, Ekpan, opposite Nigerian Navy in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice filed in this Suit. 

"An Order of interim injunction restraining the defendants either by themselves or agents, servants, workmen and/or contractors from embarking on any act of commencing development with intent to erect any wall fence and/or build any concrete structure of granites, cement and blocks calculated to alter the Egbesaba land along refinery road, Ekpan opposite Nigerian Navy in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice filed in this Suit. 

And for such further Order or other Orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances. 

Coming for hearing and determination before His Lordship the Hon.Justice Michael Nduka Obi(Judge sitting at High Court, Ekpan Judicial Division on Tuesday 7th day of August 2025."

Hon. Justice Michael Nduka Obi ordered thus, "The Applicants being absent and the Court having heard C.U.Umode Esq for the Applicants ordered as follows:

"Accordingly, prayers 1 and 2 on the Motion paper are granted as prayed in view of the said urgency deposed to in the Affidavit of urgency the Motion on Notice is hereby fixed for 18/8/2025."

In a statement sent to Our Correspondent on Sunday afternoon of August 10, C.U. Umode Esq alleged that workers suspected to be government contractors and workmen were seen working on the said land as at Saturday August 9. He said will continue to pray the Court to address the oppression, disobedience to court orders and I justices by government officials and anyone whose hands are on the said land.