A Federal High Court  presided over by Justice Lambo Akanbi, has struck out a suit brought by the Sogho community in Khana Local Government Area, challenging the state government  for  acquiring land for the proposed banana/plantain project in its locality.

Ruling on the matter, in Port Harcourt yesterday, Justice Akanbi said the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter on the ground that it was an issue bordering on title to land, adding that the matter would have been better handled at the state High Court or Customary Court of Appeal.

Speaking to The Tide, counsel to the paramount rulers of the four communities joined in the suit as respondents, Barrister Ericoid Amadi, described the ruling of the Federal High Court as perfect and consistent with the position of the law, adding that the judge took time to research on the matter as well as address all the lingering issues raised in the trial.

The lawyer to the Ogoni land owners, Barrister Kalu Obuba told the Tide that he had accepted the ruling of the court but noted that the judge based his ruling on land title and not on the fundamental issues raised in the suit.

Obuba said by the ruling, there still exists some chances for his clients to appeal since the matter was not dismissed, adding that the suit was first filed with reference to the land use Act. He said that in course of prosecuting the matter in the court, government introduced another dimension to lawfully acquire the land which translates to title of land.

It would be recalled that since the state acquired some portions of the land at Sogho community in Khana Local government Area, the Community has been in court to contest the acquisition of their land, which they described as a threat to their fundamental rights to own land.