Three suits have been filed at the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State for the enforcement of fundamental rights over the events that transpired in March 2024 between the Nigerian Army and the people of Okuama community in Ewu Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.
In one of the suits, the citizens rights concern enhancement initiative, representing Okuama, Olota communities and other communities in the riverine areas, is asking the Court to award the communities one hundred billion for infringing the fundamental human rights of the Okwama community.
Two of the suits were mentioned during the court proceedings on Thursday.
The first among the three suits brought before Honorable Justice I. M Sani of the Federal High Court Warri is challenging the actions of the Nigerian Army following the killing of 17 army officers in Okuama community by yet-to-be-identified persons as filed by the President-General of Okuama/Ewu Kingdom and the Secretary-General of Okuama community.
The second suit was filed by the registered trustees of Citizens Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative on behalf of Okuama community, Omosuomo community, Olota community and other Urhobo communities in the coastal areas of River Forcados.
17 citizens of Okuama community instituted the third suit.
The three cases are seeking among others, the enforcement of fundamental rights to life, personal liability, dignity of human persons, right to acquire and own immovable property and right to presumption of innocence as guaranteed in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended 2023.
Among the respondents in the cases are the President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Federal Government, Attorney General of the Federation, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army, Governor of Delta State, Commissioner of Police Delta State Command, Attorney General of Delta State and Commander 181 Amphibious Battalion, Nigerian Army, Agbor, Delta State.
Professor Joseph Abugu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who led a team of lawyers for the applicants in the suits told the court that the Nigerian Army and other respondents have been duly served notice of the applications.
The respondents and their legal representatives were however not in court.
In their absence, the presiding judge, Justice Sani adjourned the hearing on the applications to June 4, 2024.
Speaking with journalists, Prof Abugu accused the Nigerian Army of invading and razing of Okuama community.
He said the action of the military caused the people to scamper into the forest and have been unable to return to their native community.
He added that the innocent and defenceless people of Okuama community could not confront the Nigerian military and have therefore resorted to the court for justice.
“The summary of it is that Okuam community was invaded, Okuam community was razed to the ground, Okuama community indigenes have been in the forest dispersed all over and they have not been able to return to their native community.
“We believe that while we pay reverence to the 17 army officers who were gruesomely murdered by individuals yet-to-identified; we do think that the actions of the military in invading Okuama community on a vengeance mission are unconstitutional, a breach of the fundamental human rights of the indigenes and residents of Okuama community. And the court is the last hope of the common man, the community has no army of its own and it is powerless before the army but before the court, we expect to get justice. And that is why we are here,” said Prof Abugu.
Of particular note is the suit by the registered trustees of citizens rights concern enhancement initiative who are asking for 100,000,000,0000 (One Hundred Billion Naira) as restitution for the people.
The case was filed at the Federal High Court Warri before Hon Justice I.M Sani on the 2nd of April 2024 with suit no FHC/WR/CS/37/2024 by the law firm of Bright-Jessa and Co.
The suit came up for the first time on the 19th day of April 2024 when a motion exparte for substituted service of the originating motion and another process in the suit was granted, the case was adjourned to the 3rd day of May 2024.
It was brought back to 2nd May 2024 and was called by Prof Joseph Abugu SAN who appeared with Ubido Andrew Esq and Jessa Cynthia Oghenerukevwe esq.
Pastor Edewor Egedegbe is the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the non-governmental organization registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission.
The organization works towards the protection and preservation of human rights and social welfare/justice of all Nigerians regardless of status, identity, orientation and affiliations.
