Enugu, Sept. 20, 2023 – An Enugu High Court on Wednesday restrained Milhouse Energy Services and African Pits & Quarries Ltd, owners and operators of a coal mining site at Awhum in Udi council, Enugu State, from further mining in the area.
The order followed the request by the state government for an order of interim injunction to restrain the operations of the companies brought by the state the Attorney General.
The state government had accused the companies of environmental degradation, blasting without approval and due regulations and non-remittance of deducted staff tax to the state government.
Justice A.R Ozoemena, the Judge, ordered the restraint after listening to submissions from counsels to the state government.
He said he agreed with the government that the activities of the companies had caused environmental degradation at Ibite Awhum in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
“An order of interim injunction is made suspending further activities, sealing, and closing down the premises of the Respondents situated at Ibite Awhum, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State,” the court said.
It adjourned the matter until Oct. 3, 2023 for further hearing.
The state Governor, Peter Mbah, had in June, set up a committee to review mining activities in the state after banning illegal mining activities
The committee had started sealing up illegal mining sites in the state.
