An Abuja High Court sitting in Bwari, has restrained Universal Elysium Limited, Oranto Petroleum Limited and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) from further proceeding with the bidding process for the concession of the Onitsha River Port, Anambra State.
They are also to stop giving any effect to any or some of the respondents in connection with any matter arising from, traceable to, or bearing on the concession of Onitsha River Port.
Trial judge, Justice O. Musa, while ruling on an ex-parte application by a lawyer and maritime stakeholder, Chidiebere Okafor, said, “All parties are to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the originating motion on notice which shall be served on the respondent along with the court order.”
The court adjourned to May 13 for hearing in the substantive suit.
Okafor, had through his counsel, asked the court for an order declaring void and/or setting aside the entire concession process and all the steps taken to actualize the concession. He argued that the evaluation reports did not comply with the World Bank’s environmental and social safety audit.
The court ordered that the respondents either by themselves or through their assigns, agents, operatives or officers howsoever described, either are acting individually or in concert with each other, are restrained from further proceeding with the bidding process for the concession of the river port pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion on notice.