The Honourable President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, His Lordship, Hon. Justice B. B. Kanyip, Ph.D., FNIALS has ordered that starting from Monday, 6th June 2022 the Owerri Judicial Division, Imo State of the Court be closed down until further notice.

Hon. President made the declaration pursuant to sections 21(1) & (2) of the NICN Civil Procedure Rules 2017 and other enabling powers.

Justice Kanyip further stated that the order is necessitated by the need to protect the lives of the Judge/staff and properties of the Court in view of the incessant cases of obstruction of justice, intimidation, and harassment of the Judge and staff of the Owerri Judicial Division of the Court as well as unlawful arrest and abduction of the staff of the Court by agents of State.

Hon. President maintained that Owerri Judicial Division of the Court shall not be reopened until all issues concerning disobedience to Court order are resolved and the necessary guarantees are given.