Warri Community Leadership Tussle: Ruling favours Tonwe's exco

The High Court of Justice, Delta State in the Koko Judicial Division has struck out a case challenging the Henry Eniyan Tonwe elected executive of Ureju Community in Warri North Local Government Area, Fresh Angle International has leaned.

The case which was instituted by Lucky Ukueberuwa, Itse Orugboh and two others in suit No. HCH/32/2016 was struck out by Hon. Justice P.N. Obanor (Mrs.) over lack of jurisdiction.

Hon. Justice Obanor declared that the writ of summons was not properly issued in accordance with the rules “having been issued, franked and signed by a Public Officer in contravention of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

She noted, “I am of the view that the writ is defective and there is substantial and serious defect in its issuance affects the competence of the court and I cannot treat it as mere irregularity”.

The defendants in the suit are: Mr. Eniyan Tonwe, Mr. Thompson Adini Jarikpe, Mr. Sunny Jirin Jeye, Mr. John Ofofo, Mr. John Eguando, Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL and Nigeria Petroleum Development Company Limited, NPDC.

Meanwhile, the Henry Eniyan Tonwe 12-man executive of Ureju Community has written Chevron Nigeria Limited and NPDC, urging the two companies “to discontinue all state of affairs, correspondences, dealings and benefits through the past executive led by Mr. Lucky Ukueberuwa, Itse Orugboh, Mr. Thomas Atsedosan and Madam Roli Oyibo who were the claimants in the above named suit”.

They contended that any person(s) apart from the 12-man Henry Tonwe executive, which includes: Mr. Sunny Jirin Jeye (Vice Chairman) Mr. John Nogho Ofofo(General Secretary) Mr. Donatus Mikie (PRO) and Hon. Otimeyin Orugboh (Treasurer) who claims to be a member of the newly elected Ureju Community executive “should be considered as impersonating, a criminal and should therefore be apprehended and arrested”.

The notice which was signed by Obafemi Ainerua Esq. on behalf of the Eniyan Tonwe led executive, copied The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5 Benin City, Delta State Commissioner of Police, MD of Chevron, the Commissioner representing Itsekiri Nation in DESOPADEC and Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area, among other key stakeholders.

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