Effurun Landlords Drag Delta Govt To Court

 

                   TWO landlords in Effurun, Uvwie council area of Delta State, Johnson Umode and Paul Idoghor, have, in separate suits, dragged the Delta State Government to court for alleged compulsory acquisition of their property without payment and compensation.
Also to appear before the court in the matter to redress the alleged infringement on fundamental rights of property owners is the state Ministry of Lands, Survey which is responsible for acquiring the said land situated at Refinery Junction, Effurun, for purposes of public infrastructure upgrade.

In suits No. EHC/100/2014, filed before the High Court in Effurun, Johnson Umode, the plaintiff noted that the respondents have already marked for demolition, four bungalows of 34 blocks of stores at the said location, having earlier, with the aid of military personnel, demolished three blocks of commercial shops also belonging to him at Jakpa Junction.

Some of the alleged compulsorily acquired property

Some of the alleged compulsorily acquired property

The applicant told Sunday Vanguard: “While the action pending is yet to be determined by the Effurun High Court I, the Executive Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan has on two occasions visited the premises, instructing occupants to evacuate for imminent demolition of the 34 blocks of commercial shops as well.”
He is, in the suit, asking the court for an order directing the respondents to pay a total N145,000,000 as cost for the already demolished property and the one at Refinery Junction if the government is still desirous of acquiring it.
In his separate Suit No: FHC/CS/127/14 before the Federal High Court, Warri, Paul Idoghor is asking same respondents as in Umode’s case to pay a total N67,000,000 in compensation for his property already “forcefully acquired” and another in waiting for acquisition by the government.
Reacting to the landlords complaints, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, on Friday, assured: “Arrangement would be concluded next week to make the necessary compensation.
The governor said the affected buildings at the Refinery Junction were no longer befitting for the area where the government is involved in partnership with chainstores giant, Shoprite, for construction of one of its outlets in Effurun.
“These buildings we are talking about constitute shanty in the area which is not befitting any more. We must have to remove them but necessarily arrangement is being made for proper compensation”, he said.