News
Ogbogoro Crisis: Court Dismisses Stay Of Execution On Judgement
A Port Harcourt High Court in Rivers State presided over by Justice Adolphus Enebeli has dismissed a motion seeking for stay of execution on the judgement he delivered on February 15,2022 bordering on chieftaincy and land disputes involving Owhor Dike of Eliozu and Chief Felix Amadi of Rumukpalikwu-Ada families of Ogbogoro community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
Enebeli, in his ruling, Thursday in Port Harcourt on the seven-point reliefs sought in the motion by the judgement debtors, defendants in the matter through their counsel, Joseph Dent, dismissed the motion in its entirety, saying that the motion was lacking in merit as the defendants failed to justify the reason why the court should stay execution of its judgement.
The trial judge had on February 15,2022, in its 150-page judgement, which centred on 11 points, ruled that Amadi was the duly elected and crowned paramount ruler of Ogbogoro community based on the facts before the court.
He also ruled that the disputed five lands belong to Rumukpalikwu-Ada family as well as awarded N500,000 in favour of Amadi and family.
However, not satisfied with the outcome of the judgement, Dike family who are the judgement debtors now in the matter, approached the court for stay of execution of the orders, hinging their prayers on the grounds that the judgement, if not stayed by the court, would pose some hardship on the people as well as incapacitate them in their quest to appeal the judgement at the Court of Appeal as they cannot afford to pay the judgement sum awarded against them.
Enebeli, in his ruling that lasted for about 20minutes, yesterday, ruled that the orders of the court made in respect to 1,2,3,4,5,6,and 7 were declarative, and cannot be stayed in law.
“Orders 8 and 9 were mere mandatory, while 10 and 11 were dismissed as well as payment of judgement sum”,he said, and described the motion as inappropriate and dismissed them.
According to the judge, some the orders of the court in line with the judgement had already been executed, including the taking and handing over of the palace to Amadi, insisting that such order cannot also be stayed.
Again,the trial judge said that the court cannot stay its own judgement on those who disobeyed its orders, ridiculed and mocked the court.
“I cannot grant the stay of execution to litigants who disregarded court orders,disobeyed and denigrated the court. So, they deserve no mercy.They have even refused to pay the judgement sum, and coming here to ask for stay of execution of the judgement.Therefore,granting their request is tantamount to rewarding the recalcitrantand disobedient litigants. The judgement creditors should be allowed to enjoy the benefits of their judgement.The defendants have the right to appeal.
“To stay or halt execution of judgement of a court is purely at the discretion of the court on special circumstances which must corroborate with substantial evidence”, he stated.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom,lawyer to Amadi and Rumupkalikwu-Ada family,who are judgement creditors in the matter,E.G. Ekesaid the import of the ruling was that the judgement of the court has taken effect, and everybody must comply with the judgement until a superior court makes a contrary order.
Also speaking, the Paramount Ruler of Ogbogoro community, Eze Felix Amadi said the door of negotiation has been open to innocent buyers of lands, and those who built on the disputed lands must negotiate with the community through their counsel.
The lawyer to the defendants, Joseph Dent declined to speak to journalists after the ruling.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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