By Chinenye Ozor, Nsukka

An Enugu state vacation judge, Justice Fidel Ngwu, sitting at Nsukka, has transferred to the regular courts, hearing on the enforcement of fundamental rights motion and counter motion before it. The suit number C/482M/2013 involves Engr. Okwor and Igwe Okoli (Applicants) and the Inspector-General of Police, (Respondents) in a N48million controversial land deal in Enugu.

In his ruling after counsel to the parties P.A.N. Ejiofor for first respondents, Godwin Ijoma for second and third respondents and Ifeoma Eze Okereke for the applicant announced the appearances indicating their interest to go on with the matter, which was adjourned for hearing, the learned judge observed that in view of the fact that his court would cease to operate by next Monday, it would be futile embarking on a mission he would not accomplish.

He however advised the parties to seek solution to the matter outside the courts and the police. “I am minded that the days of this court are numbered, it will be futile for me to embark on a mission I cannot accomplish. I therefore transfer this case to regular court. I want to re-echo my advice that it is most reasonable for parties to sort out the matter themselves than using the court and police. I am supposed to vacate the court this week.”

The director Vinolet Company, Engr. Okafor Ugochukwu Damian, had claimed in a counter affidavit that he bought two plots of land known as Plot 21 and 22 Emene Industrial Layout and subsequently renumbered to as Plot 221 and 222; Emene Industrial Layout Enugu from Igwe Okoli and Engr. Ben Okwor but the land turned out to be revoked by the Enugu State Government. When the sellers could not deliver the relevant documents to Engr. Ugochukwu, he reported the case to the Inspector-General of Police who invited Engr. Okwor and Igwe Okoli to his office.

However, instead of responding to the IGP’s invitation, Igwe Okoli and Engr. Okwor rushed to court for the enforcement of their fundamental human rights which Ugochukwu says was a ploy by Engr. Okwor and Igwe Okoli to evade police investigation.

Counsel to first respondent Mr. PAN Ejiofor and that of second and third respondents, Mr. Godwin Ijoma extolled the ruling saying it was the best under the circumstance.