Some designated ex-Militants from the Niger Delta region, numbering about 147 have filed contempt suit against Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme , Miland Dikio ( at Federal High Court Yenagoa, Bayelsa state for allegedly dishonoring a court ruling.
The Niger Delta ex-militants are reportedly seeking an enforcement of a court ruling which purportedly asked Dikio to pay some outstanding payments standing in favour of the ex-militants or be remanded in prison custody.
Recall that the erstwhile Niger Delta militants had in suit no. FHC/YNG/CS/70/2019 alleged that the Presidential Amnesty Office was inappropriately allocating slots and stipends for the 147 ex-militants in two camps of 75 and 72 members from 2011 till date.
Consequently, when the matter came before presiding Justice Awogboro Abimbola, the learned judge had on Nov. 13 given a consent judgement on agreed settlement terms.
The Judge also reportedly ruled that the alleged diversion of lots and stipends were unlawful and ordered for its reinstatement. Consequently, Justice Abimbola had ordered outstanding payment to the 72 slots of Agbalagbabo camp 50 per cent of their total entitlements between April 2011 and September. According to the militants, the total sum stands at about N238.68 million.
Justice Abimbola also reportedly ruled that the Presidential Amnesty Office should settle the 75 militants of the Benuwolo camp, 50 per cent of their total entitlements between January 2011 to September 2019 . According to the ex-militants the total amount stands at N255.94 million.
Court records however indicate contempt proceedings have been filed, asking Col Dikio to comply with the court judgement or in the alternative file a counter appeal disputing the ruling of the court.
As at the time of filing this report, no date has been determined for Col Dikio or his agents or counsel to appear before the court.
