SAN laments alleged disrespect of court judgment, by NIWA

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Gerald Ezeuko, has lamented what he called flagrant disrespect of a Federal High Court, Awka judgment by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

Ezeuko, who was reacting over complaints on the alleged deployment of Police, Army and Navy by NIWA to appropriate the property of Lake Petroleum Limited Onitsha, said the matter has since been decided by Federal High Court Awka, against NIWA.

The lawyer who addressed newsmen in Onitsha, alleged that NIWA’s disrespect to court judgment and orders has become worrisome, wondering why a Federal Government agency should involve itself in activities that could lead to break down of law and order.

Visibly worried Ezeuko urged the Federal Government to call NIWA to order and avoid enthroning anarchy with some of its activities in Onitsha, Anambra State.

He stressed that once a court judgment is obtained in a matter, it is sacrosanct that it aught to be respected and obeyed by everybody.

He claimed that he got a judgment against NIWA before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba at the Federal High Court Awka, in suit marked FHC/ AWK/CS/51/2020, with Lake Petroleum Limited, as plaintiff while NIWA and Chris Orajekwe are defendants.

He explained that the court made the following orders: “A declaration that the defendant, which is NIWA, has no statutory power/right of any kind to appropriate/expropriate the private property of the plaintiff, which is Lake Petroleum Limited, for its own use.

“A declaration that the act of the defendant in claiming ownership of the plaintiff’s private property is unconstitutional, ultra vires, null and void.

“That the right of way as conferred on the defendant by NIWA Act, does not disturb/interfere with the right of ownership vested on the plaintiff, and an order directing the defendant to desist forthwith /immediately from appropriating the plaintiffs property.

“The sum of N5 million is hereby awarded in favour of the plaintiff against the defendant as a general damages.”

He stated that his clients are law-abiding citizens and will not employ the use of thugs to enforce the court judgment and order.

He, therefore, appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Naval Staff to desist from aiding NIWA to unlawfully appropriate peoples property in Onitsha waterside, but rather use their time and personnel to do their constitutional duties.