Delta to pay N500,000 damages for sealing firm

High Court 4 in Warri, Delta State has upturned an ex parte judgment obtained against De Wayles International Ltd by the Delta State Revenue Court in favour of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration in Delta State.

The presiding judge, Justice V. O. Agboje (Mrs), in her judgment against the state’s Internal Revenue Service ruled that the claimant was not given any opportunity to fair hearing before the judgment was delivered to seal the office.

The judge dismissed as unconstitutional the ex parte judgment obtained against De Wayles International Ltd and awarded N500, 000 against the state government.

Justice Agboje said: “De Wayles International Ltd wins ground rent case against Delta State Government and Delta State Internal Revenue Service.”

Recall that on the 5th of October, 2021, officers of Delta State Internal Revenue Service sealed off the head office of De Wayles International Ltd, Effurun-Warri after a forceful eviction of workers and visitors of the company on the basis of executing the order of the judgment of the Delta State Revenue Court as delivered on the 7th Day of September, 2021.