By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The Calabar division of the Federal High Court on Friday granted an interim order restraining the Cross River State government from demolishing a property belonging to the wife of the immediate past state chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC and the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state in the 2027 general election, Alphonsus Eba Ogar, Mrs. Cecilia Ogar.
The suit, numbered FHC/CA/FHR/78/2026 and signed by senior registrar II, Ashiru Garba, listed Mrs. Cecilia Ogar as the applicant.
The respondents are the governor of Cross River State, the state Attorney General, the Commissioner for Lands and the Development and Control Agency.
The court, presided over by Hon. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, granted the order following an ex-parte application filed by Cecilia Eba, through her counsel, FBI LEGAL.
The application averred that the Cross River State government had allegedly threatened to demolish Mrs Ogar’s house, but the court specifically restrained the state government and its representatives from further action on the building.
The order stated, “The court restrained the Cross River State government, its agents, servants and privies from ‘demolishing, entering, taking possession of, or otherwise interfering with the property.
“The restriction will remain in place ‘pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit’.” The order maintained.
Mrs Ogar is seeking the leave of the court for the enforcement of her fundamental rights, including her constitutional right to own and enjoy property.
She argued that carrying out the threatened demolition would violate those rights.
The legal team said the action became necessary to protect her interest while the case is in court.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Managing Partner of FBI LEGAL, Baba Isa, stated that the firm moved quickly to institute proceedings and seek urgent interim relief.
He said, “The court has granted the application, thereby preserving the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.”
He added that further details would be provided as the case proceeds.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State government has not issued any official statement in response to the court’s decision.
