Court Declares 2009 Bombardment of 53 Ijaw Communities Illegal

THE Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has declared the bombardment of 53 communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area, in May 2009 by the Joint Task Force, as illegal and unconstitutional. The court also awarded the sum of N100 billion against the defendants in favour of the communities.

The destruction was said to be connected with the search for militant leader, High Chief, Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a Tompolo. Delivering his judgment, Justice Ibrahim Buba, in a suit filed on June 2009 with suit number FHC/ASB/ CS/138.2009 between Chief Nelson Ogelegbanwei and 52 other plaintiffs versus the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and two other defendants, said the action violates 217(2)(c) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 constitution section.

He said the bombardment, which resulted in...