The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, and other respondents in the suit by some natives of Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State were absent, yesterday when the matter came up before a Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State.
Meantime, Justice I. Sani adjourned the cases to June 4, 2024, for a hearing.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the court proceedings, Prof. Joseph Abugu, SAN, said they were in court with others, over the rights of the community in the recent event that transpired between the Nigerian Army and the people of Okuama community.
Abugu said the incident was already in the public domain, stressing that the Okuama community was allegedly invaded and razed and most of the indigenes were chased into the forest.
His words: “They scattered all over the forest and have not been able to return to their native community.
“While we pay reverence to the 17 officers, who were killed by some individuals yet to be identified, we do think that the action of the military in invading the Okuama community on a vengeance mission is unconstitutional, a breach of the fundamental rights of the indigenes and residents of the community.
“Since the court is the last hope of the common man, the Okuama community has no army of its own and it is powerless before the Nigerian Army.
“But before the court, we expect to get justice, so we are here. Today, we have verified that the Nigerian Army, the Attorney-General of the Federation and all the relevant parties have been served.
“We have taken a date to hear our application for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of the people of Okuama community.”
Members of the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, trooped to the court in solidarity with their embattled kinsmen.
Reacting to the action of the military some of the natives recently dragged the Nigerian Army to court in three different lawsuits, where they among others alleged that the destruction of the area, a violation of their rights by the army.
The suits, FHC/WR/CS/41/2024, FHC/WR/CS/42/2024 and another filed by a non-governmental organisation, NGO, FHC/WR/CS/41/2024 have Victor Akemor and 16 others as applicants with the Nigerian Army as the respondent.
Similarly, suit FHC/WR/CS/42/2024 has Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Mr Bernard Esegba and Mr James Oghohoko as applicants with the Federal Government, Chief of Defence Staff and others as respondents.
Credit: Vanguard News Nigeria