The Nembe Division of the Bayelsa High Court has issued a 42-day ultimatum for the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to appear in court in connection with a ₦649 million accommodation debt lawsuit. Justice T. Y. Abasi, presiding over the case, warned that a default in appearance, either personally or through legal representation, would result in a judgment in absentia against the IGP and two other respondents—the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission.
The case was brought before the court by Mr. Darius Obienem, the proprietor of Euphemie Motel in Opu-Nembe, Bayelsa State. Obienem is seeking redress over the alleged occupation of his motel by a Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team from August 12, 2023, to October 3, 2024, without authorization or compensation.
According to the suit, the SWAT team allegedly used the motel as their operational base during their deployment to Opu-Nembe. The deployment was reportedly initiated at the request of Mr. Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 elections.
Obienem is demanding a court declaration that the defendants’ actions—forcefully entering and occupying his business premises—were illegal. He is also seeking compensation amounting to ₦649,450,000 for unpaid accommodation fees over the 13-month period, calculated at ₦25,000 per room per night and ₦100,000 per day for each of the three conference halls.
Additionally, the claimant is requesting ₦200 million in damages for alleged loss of revenue from the motel’s bar and restaurant and damages caused by the forceful occupation.
Justice Abasi emphasized the necessity of the defendants’ appearance to address the claims and outlined that the court would proceed to judgment if they fail to comply within the stipulated timeframe.
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