From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka
Chief Mike Ozekhome has written the Attorney General of Anambra State, alleging disobedience to the apex court’s directive over the state’s purported revocation of the 148.337 hectares of land at Amansea, Awka for Federal Government Sites and Services Scheme.
In the letter addressed to the attorney general and copied to counsel to the state government, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja, Ozekhome warned that his client would not hesitate to commence contempt procedure against Governor Willie Obiano, the attorney general and others involved in the land if the apex court directives were not immediately adhered to.
The Federal Government had dragged the state government to the Supreme Court asking for N50 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages it suffered among other claims following the state’s purported revocation of the said land.
A full panel of the apex court presided over by Justice Ibrahim Muhammed on Thursday 9, 2016, adjourned the case to February 13, 2017 for hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed by counsel to Federal Government and directed the parties to maintain status quo.
But, in the letter, Ozekhome said despite the apex court’s admonition, the state government went ahead to carry on further developmental work on the land.
Even if no order, whether direct or otherwise; was made that you maintain the status quo, we expect you to do so as a matter of judicial pertinence. See the case of Governor of Lagos State vs Ojukwu (1986) 1 NWLR (Part 18) Pg. 61 at Pg. 626 Paras 26.
“We shall not hesitate to do the needful and take all necessary legal steps, to ensure compliance with the apex courts directives in the event that our modest request, to desist from further development of the res, is not heeded. We shall immediately issue Forms 48 and 49 against the governor, yourself and any other person involved in this blatant desecration of our citadel of justice.
“To say more, will be otiose.”