-
The Rivers state government has been ordered to compensate resident whose properties were demolished.
-
This comes after a series of houses and buildings were demolished in Port Harcourt.
A new court ruling has ordered the Rivers state government to pay residents affected from an unlawful demolition in the state.
In the ordered issues by the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt ordered the sum of N1.1 billion be paid following the demolition at Mile One and Two waterfronts in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
Affected areas include: Egede, Iruala, Elechi Phase One, Elechi Beach Waterfront, Nanka, Ogwu Waterfront, Okwele and Soku Waterfront
The residents sued the government in 2022 through their lawyer, Tonye Igeri from the Justice and Empowerment Initiative.
Also Read: Natasha’s Recall Saga: INEC Confirms Petitioners’ Contacts, Others
While ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Sika Aprioku said the government violated their human rights, as they were not informed before their homes were demolished.
The judge ordered the state to pay N900 million as compensation for the rights violations and an additional N2 million as a fine.
This judgment restores hope to the victims who were made homeless by the government’s actions,” Igeri said.
Igeri added that efforts would be made to ensure the victims receive the awarded sum, noting that many had already died or lost everything.
“My advice to the government, as the court stated, is to properly identify affected property owners, provide alternative shelter, or compensate them adequately before carrying out demolitions,” he added
2027 Election: Delta Monarchs Endorse Tinubu, Praise First Lady
The traditional leaders in Delta State have revealed their support for president Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the coming 2027 election.
In a speech welcoming and praising the first lady of the federation, Remi Tinubu, the chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, the Orodje of Okpe kingdom said the monarchs fully endorse the President
Leave a comment