Demolition: Court Adjourns N14.5bn Suit Against Former Power Minister, Nnaji

The Enugu State High Court has adjourned to May 12, 2026, hearing in a N14.5 billion suit arising from the alleged demolition of properties in Nkomoro Onuogba Nike, Enugu State, following the defendants’ continued absence.

The trial judge, Justice Veronica Ajogwu, fixed the date after counsel to the plaintiffs stated that the defendants had been duly served with originating processes and hearing notices since 2025 but had neither entered appearance nor filed any statement of defence.

The suit was instituted by Okechukwu Onele and 25 others, suing for themselves and on behalf of members of the Nkomoro Onuogba Nike community in Enugu East Local Government Area, against Prof. Bartholomew O. Nnaji, former Minister of Power, and Okwuchukwu Nnaji.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, counsel to the plaintiffs, Peter Igwe, told the court that the matter had been listed several times without any appearance by the defendants, despite evidence of proper service.

“My Lord, the defendants have been served since last year and have not responded. We respectfully seek a date to prove our case,” he submitted.

In a brief ruling, Justice Ajogwu directed that fresh hearing notices be issued and properly served on the defendants to ensure compliance with fair hearing requirements, and adjourned the matter to May 12, 2026, for hearing.

Claims Before the Court

The plaintiffs’ claims arise from a demolition exercise carried out in Nkomoro Onuogba Nike, which they alleged resulted in extensive destruction of buildings, loss of property and the death of community members.

In their originating processes, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that they are entitled to the customary right of occupancy over the disputed land, which they say they inherited from their forebears and have occupied for generations.

They are also seeking an order directing the defendants to pay ₦14.5 billion as compensation for demolished structures, including 11 two-storey buildings, six three-storey buildings, 93 duplexes and 170 bungalows, valued at an average cost of ₦50 million per building.

The plaintiffs further seek ₦7 billion as compensation for the alleged killing of seven community members, calculated at ₦1 billion per person.

In addition, they are claiming ₦3.4 billion for personal property allegedly looted or destroyed. Items listed include water coolers, grinding machines, about 20 motorcycles, televisions, sewing machines, generators, mattresses, phones, solar panels and batteries, cooking pots, refrigerators, air conditioners, bundles of zinc, chairs, beds, electrical wires, bell conductor wires, foreign iron doors, GP tanks and livestock.

They are also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, privies and legal representatives from further interference with the land.

The plaintiffs further pray the court to award ₦10 billion in exemplary damages and ₦15 billion in general damages, as well as the cost of the suit.