WILLIAM ANUM OKLEY VS. EMMANUEL ASSINU AND IN THE MATTER OF MOTION ON NOTICE FOR COMMITTAL FOR CONTEMPT THE REPUBLIC vs. EMMANUEL ASSINU Exparte: WILLIAM OKLEY ANUM

The applicant, William Anum Okley, filed a civil land suit against the respondent, Emmanuel Assinu, seeking damages for trespass and a perpetual injunction over disputed land. Alongside the substantive suit, the applicant filed an interlocutory injunction application to restrain the respondent and his agents from entering the land pending final determination. Despite service of these processes, the respondent allegedly continued construction activities on the land. The applicant then filed a motion for committal for contempt, alleging the respondent's willful disregard of the pending injunction application and court authority. The respondent denied the allegations, asserting no construction was ongoing by him or his agents on the disputed land and that he was developing land lawfully owned by the church he represents, which had been declared owner in a prior judgment. The applicant also relied on a police report and photographs as evidence of contempt, which the court found problematic in admissibility and probative value.