The Nembe Division of Bayelsa High Court, on Wednesday ordered the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun to appear before it within 42 days, in connection with a N649 million accommodation debt suit.
The court, which was presided over by Justice T. Y. Abasi demanded the appearance of the IGP following the suit filed by Mr Darius Obienem, the owner of Euphemie Motel in Opu-Nembe, Bayelsa.
The court threatened that should the IGP and the two other respondents – the Nigerian Police and the Police Service Commission – make an appearance, either by themselves personally or through legal practitioner, judgement would be entered in their absence.
The hotel owner, Obienem had filed a suit over an alleged refusal of the respondents to settle the accommodation debt incurred by the Police SWAT team deployed from Aug. 12, 2023 to Oct. 3, 2024 in Opu-Nembe.
The SWAT team deployed to the Opu Nembe community had allegedly occupied the Motel, turning it into their operational base without due permission of the owners.
The SWAT team were allegedly drafted to the area at the request of Mr Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the Governorship flag bearer of APC in the 2023 general elections.
The claimant prayed the court for a declaration that the defendants’ forceful entry alleged takeover of the entire claimant’s business premises on Aug. 12,2023 is illegal.
“A declaration that the claimants are entitled to the sum of N25,000 per night per room for rooms contained therein from the 12th of August, 2023 to 3rd of October, 2024 when the defendants vacated the claimant’s premises.
“A declaration that the claimant is entitled to the sum of N100,000 only per conference hall per day for the three conference halls contained therein from the 12th of August, 2023 to 3rd of October, 2024 when the defendant’s vacated the claimant’s business premises.
“A declaration that the claimants are entitled to the sum of N649,450,000 for the period between 12th of August, 2023 and 3rd of October, 2024.
“An order of this court mandating the defendants to pay the defendant’s the sum of N649,450,000 for the period 12th of August 12, 2023 to October 3, 2024.
“And the sum of N200,000,000 against the defendants for the damages done to the claimant as result of their forceful entry and occupation of same for a period well over 13 months and loss of revenue accruing from bar and restaurant.”
