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By Femi Folaranmi, Yanagoa
The Bayelsa State High Court, Nembe Division has handed the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun a 42- days grace to cause an appearance in the N649m Bayelsa Hotel lodging debt suit filed by the owner of the popular Euphemie Motel in Opu-Nembe in Nembe Bassambiri community of Nembe Local Government Area of the State, Darius Obiene.
According to the Court, failure of the IGP and the two other respondents, the Nigeria Police and the Police Service Commission to make an appearance, personally or through a legal practitioner, may lead to judgement entered in their absence.
The owner of Euphemie Motel in Opu-Nembe,Darius Obiene had filed a suit against Egbetokun, NPF and the PSC over the refusal to settle the alleged unpaid debt incurred by the Police SWAT team deployed from August 12, 2023 till date.
The lodging debt, according to the report, was incurred by the police special squad deployed to Opu-Nembe community for a sting operation ahead of the Bayelsa governorship election.
The SWAT team had allegedly invaded the Opu Nembe community and occupied Euphemie Motel, turning it into their operational base without due permission from its owners.
The SWAT team was allegedly drafted to the area at the request of the Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the Governorship flag bearer of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the last election, Timipre Sylva.
In suit number, BHC/NHC/CV/323/2024, filed by the owner, Obiene, prayed to the court for a declaration that the defendant’s forceful entry and taking over the entire claimant’s business premises situated at Bassambiri town Opu-Nembe in August 12,2023 is illegal.
“A declaration that the claimants are entitled to the sum ofN 25,000 per night per room for the rooms contained therein from August 12 ,2023 to the October 3,2024 when the defendant vacated the claimant’s premises.
“A declaration that the claimant is entitled to the sum of N100,000 only person conference per day for the three conference halls contained therein from August 12,2023 to October 3,2024 when the defendant vacated the claimant’s business premises.
“A declaration that the claimants are entitled to the sum of N649,450,000 for the period between 12th of August,2023 to 3rd of October,2024.
“ An order of this court mandating the defendant to pay the defendant the sum of N649,450,000 for the period between August12 ,2023 to October3,2024.”
“ And the sum of N200,000,000 against the defendant for the damages done to the claimants as a result of their forceful entry and occupying same for a period well over 13 months and loss of revenue accruing bar and restaurant”.
