Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt –– The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has fixed July 16, 2020 to deliver judgement on the matter brought before it by Ogoni Youths Federation against the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, Federal Ministry of Environment and others over $10 million Ogoni clean-up funds.
Recall that Ogoni Youth Federation had gone to court to mandate HYPREP and the Federal Ministry of Environment, to furnish the group with the details of their expenditure of the $10million initially released to the agency, by NNPC/JV for the implementation of the UNEP report on Ogoniland.
The group had also accused HYPREP of financial recklessness, conspiracy to loot, double standard, failure to provide portable drinking water, failure to adhere to the recommendations of UNEP report etc.
When the matter came up in court on Tuesday, after adoption of the written addresses by counsels, Counsel to OYF urged the court to enter judgement in the favour of Ogoni youths, while Counsel to HYPREP, also urged the court to dismiss the case.
The presiding judge, Justice Emmanuel Obile, after listening to their motions, fixed Thursday, 16th July, 2020 for delivery of judgment.
Speaking to our correspondent after the court session, Counsel to OYF, Barr. Gabriel Pyagbara, expressed optimism that justice will be served in his client’s favour.
“We have a very firm believe that the court will deliver judgement in our favour.”
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Also speaking, President of Ogoni Youth Federation, Legborsi Yamabaana, expressed confidence that justice that the court will give him justice.
“We have confidence in the judiciary that justice will be served. And if we don’t get justice at the High Court, we will go to Appeal Court. But we are confident that we will get justice at the High Court,” Yamaabana said.
