Delta Communities Win N100billion Bombardment Suit Against JTF

Delta Communities Win N100billion Bombardment Suit Against JTF

The Federal High Court, sitting in Asaba, has awarded the sum of N100 billion against the federal government in the case of the May 2009 military bombardment of 53 communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, by the Joint Task Force (JTF).

Delivering judgement today, Justice Ibrahim Buba described the action of the JTF as illegal and unconstitutional and decided in favour of the communities.

The military bombardment and destruction was in connection with the search for a former militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, who has now been made a multi-billionaire by the same Goodluck Jonathan government which also lost today’s case.

Suit number FHC/ASB/CS/138.2009 was filed in June 2009 by Chief Nelson Ogelegbanwei and 52 other plaintiffs against the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and two other defendants, claiming that the action of the JTF violated Section 217(2)(c) of the 1999.

The judge agreed that the bombardment, which resulted in the demolition, destruction of houses, household furniture/wares, boats, canoes, domestic animals and displacement of members of the communities did violate the provisions of the constitution.

While granting the prayers of the plaintiffs, Justice Buba asserted that the JTF, the 3rd defendant, acted outside the law by destroying the lives and properties of the 53 communities, adding that their failure to appear in court to state their own side of the story was an acceptance of the claims of the plaintiffs.

In an interview with newsmen after the judgment, Selekeowei Larry, SAN, lead counsel to the plaintiffs, described the judgment as sound, stressing that the bombardment was illegal and unconstitutional and also that the communities had been peaceful by taking the matter to court rather than taking the law into their hands.

Igbinnonwanhia Osagie, counsel to the defendants, said he was satisfied with the judgment, but that they would study it to see if there were adequate grounds for appeal. He noted that the defence had made frantic efforts to bring to court General Sarkin Yaki Bello, on behalf of the JTF to no avail, and that his failure to appear in court affected the case.