Counsel Hails Court’s Verdict On Odi

A Port Harcourt- based legal practitioner and human rights crusader, Barrister Chijoke Agi, has hailed the N37 billion compensation awarded to the people  of Odi community by a  Federal High Court Port Harcourt over the destruction of their community in 1999.

Barrister Agi, who expressed confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man  while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt last Friday, noted that though the N37 billion could not adequately compensate the community for the huge loss in human and material resources  occasioned by the military assault, it was soothing that something had been done.

He expressed regrets that a civilian  President could order such gross violation of human rights in a community that remained a part of the country.

The Port Harcourt based legal practitioner said it was heart-warming to know that the Odi  community was to be compensated.

Barrister Agi said it was proper for aggrieved people  to use dialogue or adjudication to seek redress  instead of resorting to violence.

“Much is not achieved through violence. Violence is a big setback to any society, that is why dialogue must be  embraced,” he stated.

He cautioned  Niger Delta communities not to use liberty for licence to disrupt the fragile peace  in the country.

Barrister expressed   regrets  that the country  had not fared better either with Niger Delta militants or Boko Haram terrorists.

He called for peace in order to move the nation forward.

Chidi Enyie