Court stops Enugu from demolishing transport firm property

An Enugu State High Court sitting in Nsukka, Enugu State, on Wednesday, restrained the state government from demolishing the property of a private transportation firm, Ifesinachi Transport Limited, located at the Ogige Market area in the Nsukka Local Government Area of the state.

The presiding judge, Justice H.U. Ezugwu, issued the restraining order following an ex parte application filed by Ifesinachi Transport Company Nigeria Limited and Ifeanyi Mama, representing the family of the late Igwe Ogbonna Mama.

The family told the court that the government had marked osome parts of the Ogige market for demolition.

The planned demolition had triggered widespread condemnation with some of the traders decrying the short notice given to them to vacate the premises.

The court in its ruling warned the state government and its agencies against demolishing the plaintif’s property located on 51A, 51B and 51C,  Enugu Road, Nsukka pending the determination of the motion on Notice.

The court ruled, “That an order of Interim injunction restraining the defendants, by themselves, their servants, agents, prives, anybody acting or purporting to act on their behalf, from entering, demolishing or interfering with the plaintiffs’ properties known as No 5IA Enugu Road, Nsukka, Enugu State Plots 5IB & 5IC Enugu Road, Nsukka, Enugu State also known as Ifesinachi Transport Company park, Nsukka pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice.

“That an order for substituted service to wit; that all processes in this suit be served on the 2nd & 3rd respondents by registered post sent to the Nsukka Central Town Planning Authority Nsukka Local Government Council Headquarters, Nsukka, Enugu State and Enugu State Ministry of Transport, Independence Layout, Enugu State respectively until the 2nd and 3rd Respondents furnish the Applicant and the Court with a specific person and addresses to whom and where the 2nd and 3rd Respondents processes in this suit may be delivered; and for said substituted service to be deemed good and proper.”

The court adjourned the matter to July 9, 2024, for further hearing.

Meanwhile,  the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, on Wednesday, announced the enforcement of payment of land use charges on 800,000 houses in the state, including ancestral homes in various communities.

The Chairman, Mr Ekene Nnamani, who disclosed this on Wednesday at a press briefing, said the enforcement starts June 1, 2024.

Nnamani said the drive was part of the efforts to realise the N20 billion revenue target on the Land Use Act charges in 2024, adding that land and property taxes were the mainstay of the government’s internally generated revenue.

According to him, the plan aimed at boosting state IGR, in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s administration’s innovation agenda, was designed to transform the state.

He stated that the government had automated the Land Use Act charges as part of efforts to meet its target.

“Enugu State government has automated Land Use charges in the state. Through the Geographic Information System, we have been able to identify 800,000 properties in the state.

“Every property owner in both the metropolis and villages is required to pay Land Use Act charges to enable the government to carry out its developmental plans for the citizens.

“These fees are dependent on the value of the land and where it is located. It ranges from as low as N15,000 to N300,000,” he said.

Nnamani said even owners of ancestral homes were required to pay Land Use Act charges, adding that those in the rural areas were also benefitting from dividends of democracy such as schools, healthcare services and other social amenities.

“The charges are in different categories and are charged per plot of land. Those houses that occupy two plots of land will pay for two plots.

“So, in line with the innovation promise of Governor Peter Mbah, the service has been able to use the GIS to identify properties in the state.

“Land Use Law of 2016  says that every property owner in the state must pay charges and it is paid to the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service,” he said.