A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered the Rivers State Government to pay N1.1 billion in damages for the unlawful demolition of properties and forceful takeover of land in the Mile One and Two waterfronts under the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike.
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday by Justice Sika Aprioku, found that the government violated the fundamental rights of affected residents by demolishing their properties without prior notice or compensation. The affected communities, including Egede, Iruala, Elechi Phase One, Elechi Beach Waterfront, Nanka, Ogwu Waterfront, Okwele, and Soku Waterfront, had been displaced since 2022.
Justice Aprioku stated that the state government failed to prove ownership of the disputed land or provide any legal basis for the forced evictions. He criticized the government’s use of security forces to enforce the demolitions without offering alternative shelter or compensation to the residents.
As part of the judgment, the court awarded N900 million as compensation for the victims and an additional N200 million as a fine against the state government.
Speaking after the ruling, counsel for the applicants, Tonye Igeri of the Justice and Empowerment Initiative, welcomed the judgment as a victory for justice. He noted that many affected residents had been left homeless, and some had even passed away due to the hardship caused by the demolition.
“The next step is to ensure the awarded sum is paid to the victims, as this will go a long way in providing relief for those affected,” Igeri stated.
He further urged the government to adopt a more humane approach in future urban renewal projects, emphasizing the need for proper engagement, resettlement plans, and adequate compensation for displaced persons.
