Rivers State Court Orders N1.1 Billion Compensation for Unlawful Demolition of Properties
A Rivers State High Court based in Port Harcourt has mandated the Rivers State Government to pay N1.1 billion as compensation for the illegal demolition of properties and the forcible seizure of land belonging to residents of the Mile One and Two waterfronts in the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area. This ruling follows actions taken during the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike.
The affected residents, who filed their lawsuit in 2022, accused the state government of violating their fundamental human rights. Communities including Egede, Iruala, Elechi Phase One, Elechi Beach Waterfront, Nanka, Ogwu Waterfront, Okwele, and Soku Waterfront, experienced the demolition of their homes and the unlawful appropriation of their land.
In delivering the judgment on Wednesday, Justice Sika Aprioku affirmed that the residents had substantiated their claims of rights violations, citing the government’s failure to notify them prior to the destruction of their properties. The court ruled that the state could not provide evidence of having lawfully acquired the land from its rightful owners.
Justice Aprioku condemned the government’s actions, emphasizing that it did not offer shelter or compensation to the evicted residents. Rather, the government relied on police force to demolish homes, evict residents, and seize land under the pretense of urban renewal and public development programs.
The court ordered the Rivers State Government to pay N900 million as compensation for the rights violations and an additional N200 million in fines.
Counsel for the applicants, Tonye Igeri, a member of the Justice and Empowerment Initiative, expressed his satisfaction with the judgment, highlighting its significance in restoring hope to the victims, many of whom have been left homeless due to government actions.
Igeri elaborated on the background of the case, stating, “The case began in 2022 following the forced eviction and property demolitions that affected the applicants at the Diobu Waterfront.” He noted the numerous challenges the case faced, including attempts by certain local chiefs to join the proceedings, which the court ultimately dismissed.
“We have faced numerous obstacles, including attempts by some Port Harcourt township chiefs to participate in this case, but the court ruled in our favor and struck them out,” Igeri noted. “We are thankful for this judgment.”
Looking ahead, Igeri emphasized the importance of ensuring that the awarded compensation is disbursed to the affected residents. “Our next step is to secure the payment of the awarded sum to the applicants, as many of them now have nothing left,” he said. “This compensation will be crucial for those impacted.”
In his concluding statements, Igeri urged the state government to adopt a more considerate and transparent approach in future urban development efforts. “I advise the government that, as the court indicated, it is essential to identify individuals with properties in affected areas and explore ways to accommodate them, or at the very least provide alternative housing,” he suggested. “Those who are not satisfied with such arrangements should receive appropriate compensation, as mandated by the court.”
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