The Imo State High Court in Owerri presided over by Justice Eke on Tuesday May 5, 2026 granted substituted service in the case with suit number HOW/83/2026, involving the people of Umuocha Avu, Owerri West Local Government Area, and the Imo State Government along with its agents.
At the hearing of the matter on Tuesday 5/5/26, the defendants, notably the 4th and 5th defendants, Vertex Estate Nig LTD and Engineer Christian M. Onyekachi, were not present in court while the plaintiffs were present in court and were duly represented by their legal counsel, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, SAN.
Addressing the court, Counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, SAN, requested substituted service via publication in a newspaper.
The Presiding Judge, Honourable Justice Eke, granted the application and ordered that the parties be served through the LEAD Newspaper, which is also available online.
The case has been adjourned to May 26, 2026.
Hanto Daily News reports that the matter pertains to an alleged forceful intrusion into a substantial area of land owned by the residents of Umuocha Avu, located along the Port Harcourt-Owerri Expressway, by the Imo State Government and its representatives, Vertex Estate Limited.
