An Enugu State High Court, sitting at Nsukka, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Thursday, adjourned to April 7, 2022, for the ruling of an interlocutory injunction to restrain the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and Viagem Property and Investment Limited, from further development of 11,900-room hostel over alleged environment degradation in Obukpa Community.

Hon. Nnaemeka Aleke, had two years ago dragged UNN to court seeking N100m damages over alleged degradation of their environment.

In the suit No N/86/2020, before an Enugu High Court in Nsukka, Aleke and his community is also seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining the University from continuing the construction of an 11,900-room hostel pending the determination of the suit.

The plaintiff counsel Mr Cresent Odo, had during the court session prayed the court to restrain the defendant to stop further work at the hostel building site.

While the defendant counsels in their submissions urged the court to dismiss the interlocutory application filed by the plaintiff stressing that it lacks merit.

However, Justice Mathew C.O Eluke, who precided over the case, after listening to the submissions of the plaintiff, first and second defendant counsels adjoined the case to April 7, for ruling over the interlocutory application.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the court session, Aleke said he was in court with UNN and the construction company handling the 11,900 hostel rooms because the ongoing work at the site has further aggravated the sufferings of his people and degradated their environment.

Also, His Majesty, Eze Willy Ezugwu, the Eze ka Eze 1 of Ideke land of Nsukka Ancient Kingdom said he was in the court to give solidarity to Aleke and his community, stressing that injury to one is injury to all.

“As ‘Eze ka Eze’ 1 of Ideke land, anything that affects any community in Nsukka land affects me, that is why I am in court today to show support and solidarity to Obukpa community.

“The university should not take it upon themselves to be punishing my people as if we don’t have anybody in Nsukka land.

“I will continue to follow this matter until justice is served to my people,” he said.

The ‘Eze’ of Obukpa, His Majesty, Eze-Agu John Ugwuidenyi, confirmed to newsmen that the community has witnessed unusual floodings which he said was as a result of the siting of the the said hostel in UNN.

He said further that the Hon. Aleke has his blessings and the blessings of the community in his fight against degradation of the community environment.

Source: StreetReporters.ng

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