The owner of Prodest Hotel, Mr. Gogorobari Promise Needam, has taken legal action against the Rivers State government following the demolition of his hotel during the COVID-19 lockdown by the former Rivers State administration led by Governor Nyesom Wike.
According to The PUNCH, the hotel, situated in Eleme Local Government Area, was reportedly destroyed on Wike’s orders, sparking a legal battle over what Needam calls an “unlawful, malicious, and extrajudicial” act.
Filed under suit number PHC/224/CS/2022 in Rivers State High Court, the case lists both the current governor and the state Attorney-General as defendants.
The plaintiff, represented by B. S. Aziaka of Osima Grimah & Co (Ibinabo Chambers), seeks court acknowledgment that the demolition of Prodest Home Services, which took place on May 9, 2020, amid pandemic restrictions, was “unwarranted, malicious, wrongful, illegal, unlawful, null, and void.”
Needam demands the court order the Rivers State government to pay him N1,001,029,491 as special damages, citing “unwarranted, willful, malicious, unjustifiable, wrongful, and unlawful destruction.”
In addition, he requests N500 million in general damages, compensating for the alleged financial losses, “untold hardship, emotional pains, anguish, and distress” that he and his family suffered as a result of the hotel’s demolition.
He is also seeking N100 million to cover professional legal fees for the prosecution of this case.
In a court session on Wednesday, presided over by Hon. Justice CN Wali, the case advanced with the cross-examination of yhe hotel’s manager, Dr. Bariledum Azoro, who was arrested and detained by government authorities at the time of the incident. Dr. Azoro’s testimony provided a firsthand account of the events surrounding the demolition.
The next hearing and cross-examination are set for November 28, 2024.
After the hearing, Mr. Aziaka expressed confidence in the legal outcome, stating, “The demolition of Prodest Hotel is illegal and done in bad faith.”
He added that they initially sought an amicable settlement but, given no response from the previous or current administration, were forced to pursue justice in court.
“If they had responded to their request for settlement, they wouldn’t be here in court, because they wanted peace at all costs,” Aziaka said.
He also urged Ogoni youths to remain calm and not protest, emphasizing, “They should exercise restraint and allow the law to take its course because judgement will definitely be given to them.”
