Ogoni Power Project: Court Adjourns Hearing On Contempt Charge Against Federal Govt

Hon. Justice Phoebe Ayuba of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned hearing on charges of contempt filed against the Federal Government by a group, Ekere Pya Ogoni Initiative (EPOI) till July 19, 2023.

The incorporated trustees of EPOI, in a contempt suit filed by its counsel, F.D. Biiragbara, urged the Court to issue Form 48 to the Minister of Environment, Minister of State for Environment, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The group is seeking for a judicial review in form of an order for mandamus, to show why committal should not be made against Federal Government and the CBN.

EPOI had on February 15, 2023 obtained an order of the Federal High Court, directing or compelling the first and second respondents jointly or severally, to disclose, release or make available to the applicants the information in its letters dated November 23, 2022 and December 12, 2022, respectively.

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The Court order also directed the Federal Government and the group to maintain status quo and suspend the planned flag-off of the Ogoni power project and others.

The charge 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.”