Bayelsa Court Invites IGP Over N649 Million Accommodation Debt
The Bayelsa High Court, Nembe Division, has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to appear within 42 days in a N649 million accommodation debt lawsuit.
Justice T.Y. Abasi issued the directive on Wednesday following a suit filed by Mr. Darius Obienem, owner of Euphemie Motel in Opu-Nembe, Bayelsa. The lawsuit alleges non-payment for the unauthorised use of the motel by a SWAT team deployed between August 12th, 2023, and October 3, 2024.
According to the claimant, the SWAT team used the motel as an operational base without prior consent, resulting in significant financial losses.
The deployment was reportedly made at the request of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the gubernatorial of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva.
The court warned that if the IGP, the Nigerian Police, and the Police Service Commission fail to appear, either personally or through legal representation, judgement would be entered in their absence.
According to the declaration by Obienem, the police’s forceful occupation of his premises was illegal and therefore, for the payment of N25,000 per room per night and N100,000 per conference hall per day, amounting to N649.45 million from August 2023 to October 2024.
He equally seeks N200 million to be paid as compensation for damages, including loss of revenue from the bar and restaurant.
