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In a significant judicial intervention, the Chief Judge of Benue State, Honourable Justice Maurice Ikpambese, has issued a restraining order preventing the state government, Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, and the Attorney General from proceeding with the demolition of commercial properties at District 4, No. 25 Kashim Ibrahim Road, Makurdi.
The ex parte injunction, granted on February 23, 2026, comes in response to an urgent application by the affected property owners (plaintiffs), who argued that the demolition threatened irreparable harm. The plaintiffs highlighted that the business premises were nearing completion following substantial investments in costly renovations, making any demolition particularly devastating at this stage.
According to the ruling, the demolition notice served by the state government on February 18, 2026, created an immediate risk of irreversible damage to the properties and the livelihoods dependent on them. Justice Ikpambese determined that the circumstances warranted interim protection pending the full hearing and determination of the substantive suit filed by the plaintiffs.
The order specifically restrains the defendants—the Governor, the Attorney General, and agents of the Benue State Government—from carrying out or authorizing any demolition, destruction, or interference with the structures at the specified location until the matter is resolved in court.
This development marks a temporary setback for whatever urban renewal, road expansion, or compliance enforcement initiative may have prompted the original demolition notice. Details regarding the specific reasons cited in the February 18 notice—whether structural, planning, or encroachment-related—were not detailed in the public announcement of the injunction.
The case has already generated considerable local attention, with social media platforms amplifying discussions around government infrastructure projects, property rights, and the balance between development goals and individual economic interests in Makurdi, the state capital.
Governor Alia’s administration has in recent months emphasized urban renewal and infrastructure improvements across Benue, particularly in Makurdi, but this judicial pause underscores the role of the courts in safeguarding due process and preventing potential abuse of executive power in such matters.
The restraining order remains in force as proceedings continue, with both sides expected to present further arguments at the next hearing date yet to be publicly confirmed. The outcome of the case could have broader implications for similar demolition exercises planned or ongoing in other parts of the state.
