A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered the Rivers State Government to pay N1.1 billion in damages for the forceful demolition of properties and the illegal takeover of land in the Mile One and Mile Two waterfronts under the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Sika Aprioku on Wednesday, came after affected residents of several waterfront communities, including Egede, Iruala, Elechi Phase One, Elechi Beach Waterfront, Nanka, Ogwu Waterfront, Okwele, and Soku Waterfront, dragged the government to court in 2022.
The applicants accused the state government of violating their fundamental human rights through forced evictions and demolition of their homes without notice, leaving many homeless and without compensation.
Court Condemns Government’s Actions
Justice Aprioku ruled that the state government acted unlawfully by failing to issue prior notices before demolishing the properties. The court also found that the government could not provide evidence that it had legally acquired the land from the residents, making its takeover of the properties illegal.
The judge criticized the use of security operatives to forcefully eject residents under the guise of urban renewal and public development, stressing that the government had an obligation to either provide alternative shelter or compensate affected individuals.
“The government cannot arbitrarily demolish homes without due process or compensation. The applicants have proven beyond doubt that their rights were violated,” the judge declared.
Consequently, the court awarded N900 million as compensation for the violations suffered by the residents, alongside an additional N200 million fine against the Rivers State Government.
Lawyer Applauds Judgment, Calls for Swift Payment
Reacting to the verdict, counsel for the applicants and a member of the Justice and Empowerment Initiative, Tonye Igeri, hailed the ruling as a victory for justice and the oppressed.
“This judgment restores hope to the victims, many of whom lost everything to the government’s actions. Sadly, some have even died waiting for justice,” Igeri said.
He explained that the case had faced multiple obstacles since 2022, including attempts by certain traditional chiefs in Port Harcourt to intervene, but the court struck out their claims.
“Despite various challenges, the court has finally ruled in favor of the victims. The next step is to ensure that the awarded sum is paid so the applicants can rebuild their lives,” he added.
Call for Government Accountability
Igeri advised the government to adopt a more humane and transparent approach when handling urban renewal projects.
“The court has set a clear precedent: when carrying out evictions, affected residents must be identified and given proper accommodation or compensated. Arbitrary demolitions without due process are a gross violation of human rights,” he stated.
With the judgment now in place, attention shifts to whether the Rivers State Government will comply with the ruling and compensate the affected residents as ordered.