Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
Some Bayelsa indigenes in Port Harcourt have commended the Supreme Court for restraing the Rivers State Government from erecting any structure on the land it forcefully acquired from Bayelsa State, after demolishing the buildings on the land.
In a brief chat with TPCN late Tuesday, one of the Bayelsa indigenes resident in Port Harcourt, Datimi Jones, said the judgment said the apex court’s directive to Rivers State was in order and would prevent further tension between the two sister states.
The happy Datimi Jones noted: “This directive from the Supreme Court is a very welcome development for us Bayelsans because it will calm the situation a bit. It will also call the Wike administration to order. Because the way he was going about the whole matter was dangerous. It was as if he doesn’t care about the brotherly relationship between us and Rivers.
“Just look at the way he drove those tenants away – his own brothers from Bayelsa – and went ahead to demolish the buildings. And today, he’s laying a foundation to start building there, without even waiting for the Supreme Court to determine the matter. So, I thank God for this ruling; it will reduce the tension and quarrel until a peaceful resolution is found.”
The Supreme Court of Nigeria had on Tuesday warned the Rivers State Government against building any structure on the disputed land forcefully acquired from the Bayelsa State Government in the Port Harcourt old GRA.
Bringing up the motion exparte for an injunction earlier filed by Bayelsa State Government, the Supreme Court said it would not be able to go ahead with the motion because of the counter affidavit filed in opposition to the motion on notice by Rivers State.
Supreme Court said it would instead go ahead with the originating summons to enable it to dispense with the matter and deliver judgment in good time.
While adjourning the substantive matter to January 15, 2024, for hearing, the Apex Court cautioned the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, against the building of any structure on the disputed land and that Rivers State government stands to forfeit any such building once the judgment is against them.
The Court also cautioned the Rivers State Attorney-General against carrying out any further acts that will affect the interest of the parties since the matter is now before the Supreme Court.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa State, Mr. Biriyai Dambo, SAN stood in for Bayelsa State while his counterpart from Rivers State, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, represented his state.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State had only recently demolished buildings belonging to Bayelsa State Government along Akassa close in the old GRA Port Harcourt and immediately revoked the allocation of land.
This development made Bayelsa State Government approach the Supreme Court in a move to recover its property from her sister state of Rivers.
