Court orders Nasarawa govt to pay radio station N67. 3m for illegal demolition of station

Justice Rose Soji of the High Court in Lafia, on Friday, ordered the Nasarawa State government to pay the management of Breeze 99:9 FM Lafia, N67. 3 million for illegal demolition of the station

The Judge also held that from the evidence before the court, the demolition which was carried out on May 20, 2017 was in violation of the relevant laws of the state which stipulated that the government was supposed to give a 21-day notice.

She added that the Nasarawa State Urban Development Board (NUDB) notified the management of the station that the Certificate of Occupancy was for residential on May 11, 2017.

Read also: OGUN: Ogun councillors lay siege on House of Assembly over suspension

“So, from the date the notice was served and when the station was demolished, is just nine days as against the relevant laws of the state.

“Because of not adhering to the stipulated laws, the demolition is thereby declared illegal and the government should pay N17. 3 as special damages and N50 million as general damages,” the judge added.

Justice Soji also ordered the state government to offer public apology to the management of the station for the illegal act.

By Babatunde Alao…

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now