Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned till 30th November 2022 for hearing on a suit seeking to compel the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project, to keep to the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland, in respect to the cleanup and remediation of oil impacted sites.
The suit brought before the court by the Incorporated Trustees of the Ogoni Developmental Employment and Industrialization Initiative, is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling HYPREP others to perform the public duty cast upon them in the Ogoni Cleanup in compliance with the law.
Joint in the suit number FHC/PH/CS/41/2022 are, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of Environment, Director General of DPR, Director General of NOSDRA, HYPREP’s Governing Council and the Project Coordinator of HYPREP.
The applicant is praying the court to among other prayers declare that the Ogoni clean-up under the watch of HYPREP has not followed the standard as recommended by the UNEP Report on Ogoni, and as contained in the official gazzet of the Federal Government of Nigeria that established the cleanup agency.
The court had earlier this year granted an order for leave of the applicant to apply for judicial review by mandamus, compelling the HYPREP to perform the public duty of the clean-up and remediation of Ogoniland cast upon them in compliance with the law.
When the case was called up for hearing today, Counsel to HYPREP, C. Ofoegbu Esq. informed the court that the first to fourth respondents were not in court and have told her to pray the court for more time to allow them respond to the processes filed.
Counsel to the applicants, Kagbara Popnen esq, who did not oppose, however prayed the court for a short extension in time.
Relying on the position ofthe counsels present, the Judge, Justice T. Mohammed adjourned the matter to November 30th, 2022, for definite hearing.
Speaking to newsmen after the court session, Lead Counsel to the applicant, Kagbara Popnen esq., said the motion brought before the court was for HYPREP to keep to the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoni in respect of the cleanup and remediation of oil impacted sites.
Popnen alleged that despite the order granted by the court in favour of his clients, HYPREP and its contractors have ignored all global best practices and standards in performing its statutory duty.
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