WARRI/Nigeria: The registered trustees of Citizens Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative have initiated a lawsuit amounting to 100 billion Naira against key figures in the Nigerian government, including the President, the Attorney General, and military officials.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of several communities in the coastal area of River Forcados, aims to enforce fundamental human rights.

Initiated by the Citizens Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative, a non-governmental organization dedicated to safeguarding human rights and social welfare, the lawsuit targets the President, the Attorney General, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army, as well as state officials including the Governor of Delta State and the Commissioner of Police.

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Warri before Hon. Justice I.M. Sani on April 2, 2024, seeks to uphold rights such as fair hearing, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement, and the right to own property for communities including Okuama, Omosuoma, Olota, and other Urhobo communities.

Represented by the law firm of Bright-Jessa and Co., the applicants are supported by lawyers Ubido Andrew Esq, Ighowho B. Ogedegbe Esq, and Jessa Cynthia Oghenerukevwe (Esq).

The case, with suit number FHC/WR/CS/37/2024, saw its first hearing on April 19, 2024. During this session, a motion ex parte for substituted service of the originating motion and other processes was granted, leading to an adjournment to May 3, 2024.

On May 2, 2024, the case was called by Prof. Joseph Abugu SAN, who appeared alongside Ubido Andrew Esq and Jessa Cynthia Esq. Jessa Cynthia Esq. informed the court that all parties had been served, with proof of service available in the court file.

However, the respondents had not filed their processes nor served them. Consequently, the matter was adjourned to June 4, 2024, for the hearing of the originating motion.