By Ewa Innocent, The Sight News
Abakaliki: A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital, has given its ruling in favour of Ebonyi state government on the suit number FHC/AI/CS/82/2019, filed by five aggrieved persons, challenging the construction of Ebonyi International airport at Ezza South/Ezza North axis.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr.Cletus Ofoke disclosed this during a press briefing in his office at Centenary city, Abakaliki.
The Attorney General who was flanked by Commissioner for land and survey, Chief Moses Oshibe, said the suit challenging the state government, had suffered a great loss as court in its unanimous judgement resolved all the issues canvassed by counsel to Ebonyi state government, counsel to Attorney General of the state and counsel to state House of Assembly.
According to Barr. Ofoke, the Abakaliki Federal High Court held in their lead judgement, that Ebonyi state government followed due process of law, where the airport project is situated, and in line with the land use Act.
“The court further declared that the state government duly complied with the necessary requirements of law, especially in accordance with the land use Act, and that necessary compensation was being paid to the original land owners, as at the time the matter was initiated.
“The court even reprimanded the plaintiffs, led by Nwankiti Chris Eze, leading other four plaintiffs”, he stated.
The Commissioner for land and survey, Chief Moses Oshibe while explaining how compensation was paid to those involved, especially at the tarmac and runways where work is currently ongoing, said government has not only relocated them to Umuogharu, Ivo, Orizor communities in Ezza land,but have also concluded arrangement to make life better for them through the provision of social amenities.
The Commissioner said for people to speculate that the land was taken from them by force was a total fallacy.
He called on those that have not collected their compensation to report to his office, as government has no intention to victimise anybody that took them to court, as their sins have been forgiven.
It will be recalled that some elements considered by Ebonyi government to be opposition, took the state government to court, seeking court injunction to restrain government from the execution of its airport project, for acts they described as illegal, to wit, compulsory acquisition of land without recourse to due process of law.
