By Bassey lnyang / Calabar
A High Court sitting in Calabar has restrained the Cross River State Government from selling five of its cocoa estates located in Etung Local Government Area.
The restraining order, which came in form of an interlocutory injunction, was issued by the Cross River State High Court, Etung Judicial Division presided over by Justice M.O. Eneji.
The order restrained the state government or its agents from encroaching into the disputed land between the government and cocoa farmers in the state.
The claimants, HAta Ibi Tangban, AIG Njangbor Egbe Njom (rtd), Ntufam Benjamin Asu Ndem, Mr. Henry Okorn Okorn, Mr. Eugene Achima Ntui, Mr. Paul Manyo Ojong, Mr. Mbek Agbor Tangban, Patrick Itta Nji, in Suit No. HE/16/2013, ask the Court to restrain the defendants, Attah Ochinke, Cross River State Attorney General, Chairman, Cross River State Privatization Council, Executive Secretary, Cross River State Privatization Council, Mr. Dave Amiye, and the Commissioner for Natural Resources, from selling their land which the government acquired in public interest to produce cocoa.
The Court, having considered arguments by counsels, said: “Upon this motion for interlocutory injunction coming up before this court on 26th May, 2014.
“And after hearing O.N Agbor Esq. for claimants /applicants move the said motion which was opposed by F. I. Ititim Esa for the Defendants.
“And consequent upon the ruling by the Court that the claimants Company /Applicant’s motion possesses merits and thereby granting the same, it is hereby ordered as follows:
“That the defendants are hereby restrained either by themselves, agents, servants, privies, assigns or successors from further taking step towards privatizing Abia/Bendeghe Cocoa Estate, Abonita Cocoa Estate, Cross River State Cocoa Project, all lying and situated in Etung LGA pending when the parties have amicably resolved out of Court or in the alternative, pending when the Court shall determine the substantive action.
“The claimants, their agents, privies, representative of the youth of the landlord communities are hereby restrained from doing any touching on the management control or either re-entering into the cocoa estates in this action pending either an amicable settlement of this action out of Court or determination by the Court of the substantive action.
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