Benue court stops NAF from erecting perimetre fence round disputed land

A Makurdi High Court presided by Honourable Justice Sampson Itodo, has issued an interim order restraining Nigeria Air Force (NAF) from further erecting a perimetre fence round the disputed land and further destroying property and economic trees at Tse Poor community, Mbanima, Ugondo District, Makurdi Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.

Justice Itodo, in a ruling delivered in his Chambers Friday, 5th March, 2021 granted all the prayers in the motion as moved by Mbafan Caroline Ekpendu, PhD of counsel to Philip Poor, Tarshar Cheku, Joseph Utsershima (plaintiffs), for themselves and on behalf of Tse Poor community ordered that the status quo prior to the complaint by the community be maintained.

The plaintiffs have sued the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) NAF Headquarters, joining Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Tactical Air Command (TAC) NAF Makurdi, the Honourable Minister Ministry of Defence Abuja, Executive Governor of Benue State, Deputy Governor of Benue State and Chairman, Benue State Boundary Committee, Attorney General of Benue State, Commissioner of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Makurdi, Benue State (listed as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th defendants/respondents respectively) for what the community alleges encroachment on their land. They also accuse NAF of destroying their economic trees and property while erecting the fence as well as constant harassment of the locals because they are carrying guns.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the substantive suit.

However, Ekpendu (Mrs) told journalists after the ruling that all pleadings have been filed and exchanged.

She thanked the judge for the ruling, saying her clients will be relieved from harrasment following the decision of the court.

Emmanuel Ochum, who appeared for the defendants said once pretrial conference is held, a date will be fixed for hearing.