NEMBE, Bayelsa – The Nembe Division of Bayelsa State High Court, Nembe has ordered the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to appear before it within 42 days.
The court presided over by Justice T. Y. Abasi demanded the appearance of the IGP in the N649m Bayelsa Hotel lodging debt suit filed by the owner of Euphemie Motel in Opu-Nembe, Bayelsa Chief Darius Obienem.
The court threatened that failure of the IGP and the two other respondents, the Nigerian Police and the Police Service Commission to make an appearance, personally or through legal practitioner, judgement may be entered in their absence.
The hotel owner, Obiene had filed a suit against IGP, Nigerian Police and the Police Service Commission over the refusal to settle the debt incurred by the Police SWAT team deployed from August 12, 2023 till date.
The SWAT team had allegedly invaded the Opu Nembe community and occupy the Euphemie Motel, turning it into their operational base without due permission from it’s owners.
The SWAT team were allegedly drafted to the area on the request of the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the governorship flag bearer of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the last election, Chief Timipre Sylva.
The suit number, BHC/NHC/CV/323/2024 prayed the court for a declaration that the defendant’s forceful entry and taken over the entire claimant’s business premises on the 12th of August,2023 is illegal.
“A declaration that the claimants are entitled to the sum of 25,000 per night per room for to rooms contained therein from the 12th of August,2023 to 3rd of October,2024 when the defendants vacated the claimant’s premises.
“A declaration that the claimant is entitled to the sum of N100,000 only per conference hall per day per for the three conference halls contained therein from the 12th of August,2023 to 3rd of October,2024 when the defendant’s vacated the claimant’s business premises.
“A declaration that the claimants are entitled to the sum of N649,450,000 for the period between 12th of August,2023 to 3rd of October,2024.”
“An order of this court mandating the defendants to pay the defendant’s the sum of N649,450,000 for the period between 12th of August,2023 to 3rd of October,2024.
“And the sum of N200,000,000 against the defendants for the damages done to the claimants as result of their forceful entry and occupying same for a period well over 13 months and loss of revenue accruing bar and restaurant.”
