Itsekiri communities drag DESOPADEC to court

The Itsekiri host communities of oil and gas production of Nigeria, has dragged the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) to court over an alleged diversion of N600 million meant to cushion the effect of ecological degradation in Itsekiri host communities.The plaintiffs, Prince Ikenwole Emiko (President) and Godwin Omamogho, who filed the suit at the High Court one, Warri, on behalf of their people, contended that DESOPADEC, allegedly diverted the money meant to develop the oil bearing Itsekiri communities to fund and execute five police buildings situated at the A' Division, and also the renovation of Warri Club, a privately owned recreation club.Consequently, the plaintiffs were demanding for N100 million as compensation and damages for the deprivation suffered by the Itsekiri host communities.Testifying before the court, Godwin Omamogho maintained that the said money expended on the renovation of the Federal Government owned police barrack was meant for the Itsekiri host communities to cushion the effect of oil exploration activities, contending that same be refund to the plaintiffs.He maintained, while being cross-examined by counsel to the defendant, Barrister .M.E. Sadjere, that the amount was contained in the commission's document, stressing that it was true that the N0.6 billion was actually meant for the Itsekiri chapter of the host communities forum as shown in the budgetary documentation.But counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Amien Oriakhi, then expressed surprise that a state government intervention agency should delve into renovation of five buildings owned by the Federal Government.'My Lord, I think DESOPADEC doesn't have any moral right to spend the money for Federal Government project which was unsolicited for', said Oriakhi.The Presiding Judge, Mr Marshal Umukoro, then adjourned further hearing on the case to 28th February, 2012.
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