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Supreme Court dismisses appeal by energy firm against Rivers communities
The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by an energy production and distribution firm, NVT Power & Energy Ltd, against the judgment given in favour of eight communities in Rivers.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, in a ruling, ordered the dismissal of the appeal marked: SC/CV/849/2022 filed against the June 7 ruling of the Court of Appeal, Port-Harcourt.
The apex court’s order dismissing the appeal made on Nov. 4 was sequel to an application by NVT Power for the withdrawal of the appeal.
The certified true copy (CTC) of the ruling was, however, obtained on Friday by newsmen in Abuja.
The communities involved include Opu-Benibo Granville community; Orubibi Douglas community; Blackduke Oweredaba community; Ajumogobia -Bestman community; Oruwari community and Siri Young Jack community.
Others are Don-Pedro community and Membere Community, all in Abonnema Kingdom, Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers.
The host communities had, in October 2020, sued the firm at the High Court of Rivers State sitting in Port-Harcourt.
The communities had prayed the court to, among others, compel the firm to negotiate with them and “pay forthwith to their attorney/legal representative all agreed accruals, benefits and compensation that is due to the claimants’ communities by reason of the defendant’s activities, operations and facilities within the lands of the claimants’ communities.”
Parties later agreed to a term of settlement, which Justice A. Enebeli adopted as the court’s consent judgment in the case on June 2.
The term of the settlement agreement was that the communities, “being independent, autonomous communities and the location of the defendant’s several facilities and activities, are entitled to participate and benefit directly from all accruals, rents, contracts, development and economic empowerment.
They are also entitled to compensation, environmental clean-up, scholarships and economic empowerment projects undertaken by all companies including the defendant for their host communities in Abonnema Kingdom in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State of Nigeria.”
They were also to “be included in all agreements and or Global Memorandum of Understanding to be executed or entered into between the defendant and its host communities in Abonnema Kingdom in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State of Nigeria.”
The firm was ordered to negotiate with the communities through their lawyers “and pay forthwith to their attorney/legal representative all agreed accruals, benefits and compensation that is due to the claimants’ communities by reason of the defendant’s activities, operations and facilities within the lands of the claimants’ communities in Abonnema Kingdom, Akuku Toru Local Government an of Rivers State of Nigeria.”
Justice Enebeli subsequently ordered NVT to pay each of the eight communities N1 million, an aspect of the consent judgment that the firm appealed against at the Court of Appeal, Port-Harcourt.
In a ruling on June 7, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal in Port-Harcourt, led by Justice Joseph Ikyegh, struck out NVT’s appeal for being incompetent, having been filed without first seeking the leave of the court.
NVT then appealed the ruling of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court, an appeal it subsequently withdrew, which the apex court dismissed in its ruling.
(NAN)
Supreme Court dismisses appeal by energy firm against Rivers communities
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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