Environmental degradation: Court awards N20m damages against UNN, Viagem Property

An Enugu State High Court sitting at Nsukka, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Tuesday, awarded N20 million damages against the University of Nigeria, and Viagem Property  and Investment Limited over a case of environmental degradation in Ajuona Obukpa community.

The court in its final judgement delivered by the presiding judge, Justice Hyacenthia Ezugwu, equally ordered University of Nigeria, and Viagem Property and Investment Limited, which are the first and second defendants respectively, to stop further development of the hostel facility channelling flooding into Ajuona Community until proper erosion control measures are constructed in the community.

Recall that the plaintiff,  Hon. Nnaemeka Aleke, representing Ajuona Obukpa community, one of the host communities of UNN,  in a  suit No N/86/2020, prayed the court  to restrain the University of Nigeria, and Viagem Property and Investment Limited, from further development of 11,900-room hostel over alleged environment degradation in his community.

However, the lead counsel to the plaintiff, Barr. Ikechukwu Odo, told Vanguard after the court session yesterday that apart from the above penalties, the court equally awarded N500,000 cost of action against the defendants.

“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.

Barr. 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.”