Bank Sues state Government Over ‘Unlawful’ Demolition, Destruction Of Property, Seeks ₦20.4Billion In Damages
It described this as a grave violation of the constitutional rights of citizens of Nigeria to own movable and immovable properties anywhere in the country.
Ohha Microfinance Bank Limited has filed a legal action against the Enugu State Government over the alleged unlawful demolition and destruction of its movable and immovable assets without any compensation.
It described this as a grave violation of the constitutional rights of citizens of Nigeria to own movable and immovable properties anywhere in the country.
Among other reliefs, the bank is seeking the payment of a total sum of N20,420,194,500 in damages for the “unlawful demolition of its headquarters with valuable assets without compensation”.
The suit filed on Monday at the Enugu State High Court, Enugu Division had Ohha Microfinance Bank Limited as the plaintiff while Government of Enugu State of Nigeria and Attorney General of Enugu State were listed as 1st and 2nd Respondents.
The suit marked No. E/37/2025, was filed on behalf of the bank by Olu Omotayo Esq, leading two other lawyers Hammed Wasiu Adeyemi Esq and Desmond Kakaan Esq.
Among other reliefs sought by the plaintiff are: “A Declaration that the unlawful and illegal destruction and demolition of the Plaintiffs’ place of business properties by the defendants without payment of prompt and adequate compensation are illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.
“A Declaration that the act of the Defendants in giving the Plaintiff, 72 hours’ notice to vacate its’ Corporate Headquarters at No.1, Ogui Road, Enugu, on the 12th day of May 2024, and the subsequent destruction of the Plaintiff Corporate Headquarters and its’ movable properties including the two bank safes worth N15 million Naira on the 15th May 2024, constitutes a grave violation of the right of the Plaintiff to own movable and immovable properties guaranteed under Sections 43 & 44(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(as amended) and Articles 22 and 23, of the African Charter on Human & Peoples Rights, (Ratification and Enforcement Act) Cap. A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and is therefore illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.”
It seeks special damages of “N420,194, 500 :00K (Four hundred and twenty million one hundred and ninety-four thousand, five hundred naira)”.
It also seeks “N20 billion naira, being aggravated, punitive and general damages for unlawful demolition and destruction of the Plaintiffs’ property.
“Interest at the rate of 18% on N420,194, 500 :00K (Four hundred and twenty million one hundred and ninety-four thousand, five hundred naira) from 15th May 2024, till judgment is delivered in this suit.
“Interest at the rate of 10% on the judgment sum from the date judgment is delivered in this suit till the sum is fully liquidated.”
One of the lawyers for the Plaintiff, Olu Omotayo, stated that his client’s action is based on the defendants’ refusal to pay compensation for the destruction of the Plaintiff’s multimillion naira investment over 27 years.
According to the lawyer, despite claiming that the state is investor-friendly, the defendants have failed to compensate, violating the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens to receive adequate and prompt compensation in cases of government acquisition of their property.
No date has been fixed for hearing.
