SaharaReporters had reported that Governor Peter Mbah's administration was demolishing properties on 30 hectares of land for the proposed Enugu Central Station.
A Federal High Court in Enugu has ordered the Enugu State government to stop the demolition of Our Saviour Institute of Science, Agriculture and Technology (OSISATECH) Polytechnic and College of Education for the proposed Enugu Central Station.
SaharaReporters had reported that Governor Peter Mbah's administration was demolishing properties on 30 hectares of land for the proposed Enugu Central Station.
Although several occupants have since gone to court to challenge the demolition, Mbah’s administration has claimed that the state had a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Railway Property management who leased the property to the occupants.
The administration also claimed that the government had paid compensation to the Railway Property and some occupants. However, some of them who spoke to SaharaReporters said no single person had been paid compensation.
OSISATECH Polytechnic and College which houses OHA Micro-Finance Bank and Convent of the Religious Sisters of Jesus the Saviour was marked for demolition by the government without providing the school and its students an alternative place.
On Saturday, all the hostels and some lecture halls were demolished.
However, in an ex-parte order issued by Justice F. O. G. Ogunbanjo of Court 2 in Suit No: FHC/EN/CS/78/2024, between Our Saviour Institute of Science, Agriculture and Technology as Applicant and Government of Enugu State of Nigeria and Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Enugu State as 1st and 2nd Respondents, ordered that parties should maintain status quo pending the determination of the suit.
The enrolled order obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, partly reads: "Upon this Motion Exparte dated and filed on the 14 day of May 2024 coming up before this Honourable Court for hearing of the Motion Exparte.
"Parties absent. Arthur Obi Okafor, S.A.N, with Benjamin Osoh, Esq., and R.O. Ogbolu, Esq., for the Applicant. And the Court having delivered Ruling this 14 day of May 2024.
"It Is Hereby Ordered As Follows:
"The Respondents are to be put on notice by the service of this Motion Exparte upon them.
"The Respondents are to file an Affidavit to show cause within 7 days from today why the Applicant's prayers should not be granted.
"In line with Order 4 Rule 4(c)(iv) of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, parties are to maintain status quo pending the determination of this Motion Exparte.
"The matter is hereby adjourned to the 23rd day of May 2024 for hearing.
"Issued at Enugu under the seal of the Court and the hand of the presiding Judge, this 14th day of May 2024."