Alleged land grab: Court order Maranatha University, other parties to maintain status quo

The Vacation Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered the Maranatha University Mgbidi, the Dike Ada Royal family, Umuehi Alienyi Community Mgbidi, Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State and other parties involved in a case of alleged land grab, to maintain status quo pending hearing and determination of the case.

He also ordered that the case file of earlier ruling by Justice Dalyop Pam which granted an order of leave for the plaintiffs to move to commit Maranatha University and its proprietor and servants to prison for contempt of Court be transferred to Owerri Federal High Court.

CAPITAL POST had reported that an injuction was granted by the Federal High Court Owerri, on 23rd July, 2021 for all parties to maintain status quo, pending determination of Motion on Notice filed on 26th February, 2021, adjourning to 7th October, 2021 for hearing.

The restraint order was sequel to the motion for injunction filed by the Dike Ada Royal family which claimed ownership of the land, which the Maranatha University was occupying. 

According to the plaintiffs, the University misrepresented the facts and deceived the Federal Executive Council into approval with regard to plots of land which belongs to the Dike Ada family.

The plaintiffs said it’s armed with a Supreme Court judgement of Southern Nigeria in 1912 and the Appeal Court sitting in Calabar in 1916 in a Suit No. FHC/OW/CS/94/2020.

Meanwhile, CAPITAL POST sighted copies of letters dated August 2, written by the Attorney to the Dike Ada Royal Family to the Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission(NUC) and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board(JAMB) notifying them of the court injunction for parties to maintain status quo pending hearing and determination of the case.

In another development, some persons in support of the Dike Ada Royal family reportedly protested against Maranatha University for allegedly disobeying the orders given by the Federal High Court Owerri on 23rd July and Federal High Court Port Harcourt on 31st August 2021 that both parties should maintain status quo pending determination of the case.

The protesters said to be over 300 in number, reportedly thronged the school premises insisting that despite several court orders directing the parties to stay action, there were evidences that Maranatha University was advertising for admission in contempt of court.