A Sagbama High Court sitting in Yenagoa has declared Mr. Okorie Anthony and Otuvie Davidson as the President and Secretary Generals of Osekwenike Community in Sagbama local government area of Bayelsa state respectively.
In a judgment delivered by Justice E. J. Omukoro, the judge averred that the community election which was conducted on the 26th of June, 2014 was valid and the duo were duly elected and were generally accepted by the community but were stalled by Hon. Prosper Nwaguzo who never wanted to relinquish office for the new exco to do their work.
Ruling on whether the court has the jurisdiction to handle such matters, the judge cited section of the constitution which empowers the court to adjudicate on disputes within the community.
The court also ordered Hon. Prosper to handover all the documents to new exco and stop parading himself as the president of the Osekwenike Community since the new exco has the backings of the chiefs, elders and youths of the community.
The court further grant a general damage of three hundred and fifty thousand (N350,000.00) naira only to complainants for the stress, rigour and expenses they incurred in the course of the trial since 2017 and a fifty thousand (N50,000.00) naira only to the court to be paid by the defendant.
The court also ordered Agip Oil Company and others to stop dealing with Hon. Prosper Nwaguzo.
Speaking after the judgment, counsel to the complainant, Barr. Israel Onochoja thanked God for the ruling and praised the judge for his wisdom.
