Ogoni Group Threatens To File Contempt Charges Against Federal Govt

A group, Ekere Pya Ogoni Initiative (EPOI) has threatened to file charges against the federal government if President Muhammadu Buhari visits Ogoniland in Rivers State to flag off some projects of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

Buhari is expected in Rivers State on Friday, April 28, 2023, to flag-off the construction of Centre of Excellence and a-100 Bed Specialist Hospital among other projects of HYPREP in Ogoniland.

The group had sought for an order directing or compelling the first and second respondents jointly or severally, to disclose, release or make availability to the applicants the information in it’s letter dated November 23, 2022 and December 12, 2022, respectively.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt yesterday, the (EPOI spokesman, Chief Gani Topba, said the group had in February 2023 obtained an order from the Federal High Court, directing the federal government and the group to maintain status quo and suspend the planned flag-off of the power project and others.

Joined as respondents on the suit are the Minister of Environment, the Minister of State for Environment, the Attorney-General of the Federation and HYPREP.

A copy of the order of the court, which was presided over by Hon. Justice Phoebe Ayua reads in part: “That an order is made directing the first and second respondents and even the applicants to maintain the status quo ante bellum and not to tamper with the subject matter in this suit before the hearing and determination of this suit.

“That an order is made suspending the planned flag-off of the subject until the hearing and determination of this suit, more so that the court is ready to give an accelerated hearing in this matter.”