Court directs FG to release information on Ogoni Power Project

 A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has granted leave to the Incorporated Trustees of Ekere PYA Ogoni Initiative for a Judicial Review and to seek an order of Mandamus directing and compelling Minister of Environment and Minister of State Environment to release and make available, information on Ogoni Power Project contained in a letter earlier sent to them by the claimant.

DAILY POST reports that the court presided over by Justice Phoebe Ayua had on February 15, 2023 after directing parties to maintain status quo, also granted an order suspending the planned flag off of Ogoni Power Project by the defendants in the said suit.

Justice Ayua warned the defendants, including the Minister of Environment, Minister of State for Environment, Attorney General of the Federation and Central Bank of Nigeria against disobeying the court order.

The presiding judge also warned that any attempt to go against the court order will amount to contempt of court.

In a separate letter written to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt Division, the Incorporated Trustees of Ekere PYA Ogoni Initiative, expressed concern that the defendants have proceeded to deal with the subject matter in the suit.

The letter revealed that the defendants in the suit had gone ahead to mobilize workers for the Ogoni Power Project Right of Way to carry out survey, mapping and other activities preparatory to flagging off the said project, as well as engagement with community development committees in relation to the project.