From Joseph Obukata (The New Diplomat’s Correspondent)
The Delta State House of Assembly has directed the Uvwie Area Planning office Of the State Ministry of Land and Survey to pay the sum of N1 million to a petitioner, one Mr. Edwin Adjeke for the damage done to his properties and injuries inflicted on him and his son.
The amount is for the alleged unlawful, oppressive, unjust and unconscionable destruction of his fence and bodily harm suffered alongside his son from personnel of the ministry.
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Mr. Adjeke and his son were allegedly assaulted by officials of the ministry led by one Samson Ambrede, a town planning officer, on the 26 of June 2019 accompanied by other members of staff and armed policemen.
The directives followed the adoption of the report and recommendation of the House Committee on Public Petitions at Tuesday plenary.
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Adjeke, in his petition before the House had stated that the action of the Area Office of the Ministry of Lands and Survey caused him and his family trauma, as his business premises was destroyed, and injury sustained by him and his son. Mr. Adjeke in his submission asked for compensation worth N 3 million, to cover the damages incurred for the destruction of the fence of his premises along Effurun-Sapele Road, and part of his office, and injury sustained.
Presenting the recommendation of the committee, its Chairman, Hon Pat Ajudua, said that in the event of the committee oversight work, it was discovered that both the petitioner and the officials of the ministry aired in their actions.
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She said that Mr. Ambrede and the Ministry must not be held liable for destroying the wall fence erected by the petitioner as according to them, it falls within the stipulated Government right of ways amounting to trespass.
However, the committee recommended one million naira cost compensation for the petitioner for the property destroyed, other than the fence, and for the bodily injuries inflicted on the petitioner and his son.
The committee pointed out that the committee in their investigation the Ministry did not properly communicated the notice of his offence properly to the petitioner, as it was discovered that of the three notices sent to Mr Adjeke to adjust his fence as it was very close to the road, it was only one notice that was proved to had been properly given.
In answering the prayer of the petitioner, the committee said because it was a fact that the said fence violated the estimated distance from the major highway, it only awarded compensation to take care of the damages to the property, and bodily harm inflicted on the him, and his son to the tune of N1 million naira.
The motion for the adoption of the report, was moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Tim Owhefere and seconded by the member representing Ughelli North 1, Hon. Oniyere Charles Whomrowho.
The Speaker of the House, Rt.Hon.Sheriff Oborevwori who presided over the plenary, while commending members of the committee for the detailed report on the allegation, described the report as balanced and unbiased.
Also, at plenary the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency Bill, 2020 passed second reading.
The bill is aimed to establish the a community security bill that will engage locals from the various communities in the state, which will assist the Nigerian Police Force and other security services in the gathering and collaborate in intelligence information about criminal activities.
The members during plenary, which was presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Sherriff Oborevwori, in their contributions supported the bill.
Amongst those who contributed are Rt. Hon Ochor Ochor, the Deputy Speaker, the Majority Leader, Hon Tim Owofore, and Chief Whip Hon Pat Ajudua.
The bill had been sent to the committee in charge of security.
