Court postpones N14.5 billion demolition lawsuit against former power minister Nnaji

Justice Veronica Ajogwu of the Enugu State High Court adjourned a N14.5 billion lawsuit against former Minister of Power Prof. Barth Nnaji, concerning alleged demolition of property, to June 3.

The property in dispute is claimed by members of the Nkomoro Onuogba Community in Enugu East Council Area of Enugu State. The suit was filed by 25 community members against Prof. Nnaji and an individual named Okwuchukwu Nnaji.

When the case was listed for mention on Tuesday, the plaintiffs’ counsel, Mr Peter Igwe, requested additional time to regularise the court processes.

“We were just served this morning by the defence counsel when the court was about to sit. So we need time to look into the processes served on us and respond adequately, even though we noted that they have not paid the default fee for filing out of time,” Igwe said.

The defendants’ counsel, Mr Benjamin Nwobodo, also indicated that the requested extension would allow both parties to regularise their filings.

Justice Ajogwu nevertheless set a new hearing date for June 3.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, the defence counsel noted that the matter had been adjudicated in 2013 by Justice Eno Oluedo.

He added that a person named Alinta, who had previously sold the land to Prof. Nnaji, initiated a suit against the plaintiffs in 2001. After Alinta’s death, his children were substituted as plaintiffs.

“The defendant then was served, and judgement was given in 2013. The judgment was that Alinta was the owner of the property.”

“So before Alinta died, he transferred his interest to Prof. Barth Nnaji, who is now the owner of the land, and a long time ago, execution had been carried out by the court and not by any other person.”

“But the plaintiffs are talking about demolition of their property. If judgement is given to me over my property, it’s my right to take it or demolish it. It was demolished by the court and nothing else.”

“Nobody is above the law. If Nnaji had killed anybody as alleged by plaintiffs, he would have been charged. You are now asking for you to be paid billions over whom? So the case has no root under the law,” Nwobodo said.

In the filing presented by Mr Igwe, the plaintiffs seek compensation for properties they allege were demolished by the defendants.

The claim lists 11 two‑storey buildings, six three‑storey buildings, 93 duplexes and 170 bungalows, each valued at an average of N50 million.

The community also asks the court to order the defendants to pay N7 billion in compensation for seven deceased members, alleged to have been killed in the incident, at N1 billion per deceased person.

Furthermore, the plaintiffs request N3.4 billion for alleged looting of personal items, including water coolers, mattresses, 20 motorcycles, televisions, sewing machines, cooking pots, air conditioners and beds, among other goods.

The documents indicate that the plaintiffs also seek a perpetual injunction to prevent the defendants, their agents, privies and legal representatives from further interfering with their ancestral home.

They additionally ask the court to declare them the rightful owners of the disputed Nkomoro Onuogba land, which they say they inherited from their ancestors and have occupied for generations. (NAN)

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