“Court Adjourns Onitsha Mass Demolition Case” — Lake Petroleum Fights Government Over 1,600 Destroyed Shops

The case involves the alleged demolition of over 1,600 shops and houses, which displaced more than 4,000 sand miners and traders in the area.

Lake Petroleum Limited approached the court, seeking enforcement of its fundamental right to property ownership after the demolition led by Emeka Orji, Chairman of the Onitsha South Local Government Caretaker Committee. The company obtained an interim injunction restraining further demolition or interference with its property, Ndende Land, located along Niger Street, Onitsha.

Despite the injunction, Lake Petroleum’s counsel, Mr. Gerald J.J. Ezeuko, SAN, alleged that Orji continued to violate the court order, prompting the company to file a motion for substituted service after unsuccessful attempts to serve him directly.

The case, which began in March 2024, has faced multiple adjournments due to judge transfers and insecurity in the state. Presiding over the matter for the first time, the judge granted a motion for substituted service sought by a section of the Onitsha community seeking joinder in the suit.

Counsel for Lake Petroleum emphasized that the case was about the breach of the company’s possessory and ownership rights, not title disputes. “We have held the Certificate of Occupancy for over ten years, and there is a presumption of ownership until proven otherwise,” Ezeuko stated.

The judge expressed disappointment at the prolonged delays and urged all parties to be prepared for the next hearing date. “Matters like this should not suffer unnecessary delays,” she noted before adjourning the case.

None of the defendants or their legal representatives appeared in court.