A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has fined the state government N1.1 billion for unlawfully demolishing properties and forcefully seizing land from residents of the Mile One and Two waterfronts in Port Harcourt.
The demolition occurred during the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike.
The affected residents filed a lawsuit in 2022, claiming their rights were violated by the forced eviction and demolition.
Justice Sika Aprioku ruled that the state government had failed to notify the residents before demolishing their properties and could not prove that it had legally acquired the land.
The government also did not provide shelter or compensation for those displaced.
In the ruling, the court awarded N900 million in compensation to the victims and imposed an additional N200 million fine on the state. “The applicants have proven that their rights were violated,” said Justice Aprioku.
Tonye Igeri, counsel for the applicants, expressed satisfaction with the judgment, emphasizing that it would help restore hope to the victims, many of whom are now homeless.
He also advised the government to consider more transparency and fairness in future development projects.
“We need to identify the people affected and provide them with alternative shelter or proper compensation,” Igeri said.