Court orders Rivers government to pay N1.1bn compensation

DDM News

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has awarded N1.1 billion against the Rivers State government.

The government of Rivers State, located in the Southern region of Nigeria, is responsible for managing and administering the affairs of the state.

Its roles include creating policies that foster development, maintaining law and order, and improving the welfare of its citizens through various social, economic, and infrastructure projects.

This administration aims to enhance the quality of life by investing in education, healthcare, and transportation, while also ensuring that environmental and cultural heritage are preserved for future generations.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that the judgment follows a lawsuit filed by waterfront residents whose properties were demolished and taken over by the government.

The affected residents are from Egede, Iruala, Elechi Phase One, Elechi Beach Waterfront, Nanka, Ogwu Waterfront, Okwele, and Soku Waterside.

In 2022, these residents filed a lawsuit against the government for violating their fundamental human rights.

Their properties were demolished during the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike without prior notice or compensation.

Justice Sika Aprioku ruled that the Rivers State government violated the residents’ rights by demolishing their properties without notification.

The court found that the government failed to provide legal proof of ownership of the land in dispute.

Justice Aprioku also noted that the residents were forcefully ejected without any provision for shelter or compensation.

The court criticized the government for using police officers and hired thugs to remove residents and take over their land.

The government had built public infrastructure in the area without considering the rights of the displaced residents.

Justice Aprioku ruled that the government must compensate the affected residents for the violations they suffered.

The court ordered the Rivers State government to pay N900 million as compensation for the demolition.

Additionally, the government was fined N200 million for violating the fundamental rights of the applicants.

Counsel for the applicants, Tonye Igeri, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a victory for justice.

Igeri, a member of the Justice and Empowerment Initiative, said the judgment restores hope for the displaced residents.

He emphasized that the court’s decision is a strong statement against the unlawful demolition of private properties.

A representative from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice declined to comment on the judgment.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook