Austin Omubo Iruene, the deputy sheriff of the Rivers State High Court has reportedly been queried over the ‘illegal’ demolition of building in Igbo-Etche, Etche Local Government.
Iruene led a team of police officers and soldiers to demolish about twenty buildings over a judgement delivered by Justice Augusta Chuku of the High Court in a land dispute between the community and Livingstone Estate owned by one Abasiobong Udofia.
The community represented by CHIEF KEMAKOLAM NWANUO and eighteen others said the Egwi Etche Customary Court had delivered judgment in Suit No. ECC/55/2019 CHIEF AUGUSTINE ELEBE NWAFOR AND ORS. VS. DR. ABASIUBONG UDOFIA AND ANOTHER and Suit No. ECC/65/2019 CHIEF JOHN INWERE AND ORS. VS. DR. ABSIUBONG AND ANOTHER in their favour.
According to them, Abasiobong did not appeal the ruling but rather filed another suit before Justice Chuku which ruled in his favour on February 12, 2021.
They said that after the ruling by Justice Chuku, they served a Notice of Appeal for a stay execution on February 28. They added that the appeal was entered on June 20.
The community leaders said that despite the Notice of Appeal being served on Mr Iruene, the OC Legal of the Police and other parties involved, he led the police to execute the judgement.
They noted that the affidavit of service was deposed to by the bailiff who served the Notice of Appeal to the parties involved.
The victims of the demolition also said that they were never served eviction notices before their properties were destroyed.
It was gathered that Justice Simon Amadi, the chief judge of the state issued a query to Mr Iruene.
Sources within the judicial circle said that he might face sanctions over the abuse of judicial processes.
A source said “Mr Iruene might face disciplinary action soonest, possibly facing dismissal, as preliminary investigation reveals that he has absolutely no legitimate legal backing for his actions”
When contacted for comments on the development, Mr Iruene said he could not speak on the matter and ended the call.
