An Enugu State High Court sitting in Nsukka has awarded N20 million in damages against the University of Nigeria and Viagem Property and Investment Limited in favour of Ajuona Obukpa community for environmental degradation.
Delivering the judgement, on Wednesday, the court, presided over by Justice Hyacenthia Ezugwu, also awarded N500,000 against the Defendants for cost of litigation.
Ruling on a suit No N/86/2020, between Hon. Nnaemeka Aleke, representing Ajuona Obukpa community, one of the host communities of UNN, as the Plaintiff and University of Nigeria Nsukka, and Viagem Property and Investment Limited as the 1st and 2nd Defendants the court ordered the defendants to halt further development of the hostel facility, which has been causing flooding in the community, until adequate erosion control measures are put in place.
This judgment aims to hold the defendants accountable for their actions and ensure measures are taken to prevent further environmental harm to the community.
The plaintiff, had sought an order of the court restraining the Defendants from further development of 11,900-room hostel over alleged environment degradation in his community.
Addressing journalists shortly after the judgement, counsel to the plaintiff, Ikechukwu Odo, commended the court for the judgement, noting that justice has been done in the case.
He said: “The court in delivering the final judgement, resolved all the issues in favour of the plaintiff, Hon. Nnaemeka Aleke, and his Ajuona Obukpa community. The court agreed that there was huge nuisance created by the University of Nigeria, and Viagem Property and Investment Limited as a result of lack of erosion control flowing from UNN into Ajuona Obukpa community.
“After agreeing with us on all the issues, the court ordered the University of Nigeria and Viagem Property and Investment Limited to stop further development of the hostel project until proper erosion control measures are put in place and granted perpetual injunction to that effect.
“The court equally awarded N20 million damages jointly and severally against the first and second defendants, and also awarded N500,000 cost of action against the defendants too,” he explained.
Odo commended the court for looking beyond the gimmicks brought in by the defendants to stop the court action from going into merit.
In his reaction, the plaintiff, Hon Aleke, said “I am personally convinced with the competence of the court and I loved the disposition of the judge in administering justice in our matter.
“I encourage other courts to emulate such competency because the court is the last hope of a common man.”
