Chief Uchendu Ahuruonye, the Managing Director, Chicotas Nigeria Limited, has applauded the Abia State Judiciary, for delivering a landmark judgement in a matter between his company and Aba South Local Government.
Ahuruonye, who gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen, said that the judgement had not only put to rest a matter that had lingered since 2015, but also restored his hope in the judiciary.
He said that Justice Thomas Adiele of the State High Court, Aba, on Dec. 2, 2025, delivered the judgement in favour of his company in Suit No. A/M77/2024.
Ahuruonye said that the court in the said judgement declared that Chicotas Nigeria Limited remained the rightful collector of revenue for the council.
Ahuruonye said that his company had a contract agreement on Jan. 3, 2014, with the council for the collection of revenue on items such as property rate fees, management of markets, parks and others.
He said that the council duly breached the said contract, consequent upon which he filed Suit No: A/101/2015 against it.
Ahuruonye recalled that the High Court, Aba had delivered a judgement in June 2019 in Suit No: A/101/2015, in favour of his company, whereupon, the court ordered for a specific performance of the said contract against the council.
He said that when his company tried to execute the said judgement the council wrote a petition to Cameroun Barracks, Aba, accusing him and the company of forging the document.
The consultant explained that the council in order to intimidate and humiliate him from executing the valid court judgement had charged him to Grade 1, Aba Magistrate Court for forgery.
He said that the Magistrate Court, presided over by His Worship, E.U. Maduagwu, upon hearing the matter had halted the execution of the 2019 High Court judgement.
Meanwhile, Ahuruonye said that the latest High Court judgement set aside an order of the Magistrate Court.
However, he explained the High Court in its Dec. 2, judgement noted that there were clear indications that the magistrate was duly briefed about the existence of the subsisting judgement, “but chose to ignore the bunch of documents.”
Ahuruonye said that the trial judge noted that there was an obvious error of law on the face of the records in restraining his company from collecting revenue in totality.
He said that court frowned at the attitude of the council as well as made an order prohibiting the Magistrate Court from going on with the charge against him and his organisation.
He said that the court also frowned at the use of Police who were supposed to aid in the execution of a valid judgement of the court in frustrating, aiding and abetting the disobedience of the valid judgement of the court.
Ahuruonye said that the court, therefore, made an order of certiorari quashing the ruling/order made by the magistrate on the said “Charge No: MAS/42C/2024 – Commissioner of Police vs Uchendu Ahuruonye.”
The elated Ahuruonye, who narrated his ordeals, including threats to his life, applauded the judiciary for its adherence to the rule of law, while describing it as the last hope of the common man.
“I’m so excited that justice prevailed at last, that judgement has been given to me and people should be proud of the judiciary.
“I didn’t know anybody in court, I only focus on God, and God is so kind, because the court had to see the truth of the matter,” he said.
Giving an update, Ahuruonye expressed his company’s readiness to execute the said judgement of collecting the revenue for in one year according to the agreement his company had with the council.
He said : “They have no option, because as far as that judgement is concerned, by January 2026, I start my work, but that work is to be done in one year without interference.
“And whatever thing that is due for the local government will be paid to them, despite the money I have paid already.
“So, they should allow me to execute that judgement, for one year, without interference.”
