From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
A’Inamu community in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local government area of Benue State has sued Maj. Gen. John Enenche rtd, brother to senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Center, DIGC on allegation of land grabbing.
The matter is filed at the Federal High Court, Makurdi before Justice Raphael Egbe.
Speaking with newsmen at the court on Monday, counsel to the applicants Barr James Onyirofie said the crux of the matter arose from land grabbing activities of the third class Chiefs Joseph Ikwuje and Joseph Idoko who connived with Maj Gen John Enenche to take their land.
He said the Ortom administration awarded contract to Maj Gen Enenche to tar a road from Orokam to Adupi which is his native town, alleging he (Enenche) came to their land, excavated their precious stones including laterite and sand without paying for them in connivance with the two traditional chiefs.
He said: “Our land is not in the custody of traditional Chiefs but the eldest people who give them to the youths to manage. The value of the land, laterite and sand that Gen Enenche excavated is worth over 154 million naira.
“We have written a letter demanding him to compensate the people because his act is in violation of section 41 sub section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic. He was paid by the Ortom administration but he came and took away our resources without paying a dime.
“It is on the basis of that, our third class chief is violating the rights of the youths using the police and thugs to silence them. They have carried out frequent nocturnal arrest, the police even use the bus belonging to the Chief at night to apprehend innocent youths. They usually break through the roof of their houses to arrest the occupants and seize their property. More than 14 youths were arrested and the Police was even demanding 80,000 from each of them for the release of their motorbikes.
“These acts are a gross violation of their fundamental human rights. This has an ancillary release that is, the issue that brought the China Harbor, handling the road project” .
Barr. Onyirofie said the prayer before the court is for Gen Enenche to compensate the youths whose rights have been grossly violated and the money the police carted away from them be returned including the motorcycles impounded and taken away to Owukpa.
When the case came up for mention, Barr. Onyirofie brought an application to join 15th, 16th and 17th respondents to the suit.
The court ruled that enforcement of fundamental human rights violations can be enforced against an individual, persons, not only against security or government agencies.
Justice Egbe said the Police Service, Commission, the Nigeria Police Folice (NPF) and the Area Commander Otukpo Area Command be joined as the 15th, 16th and 17th respondent and adjourned the case to 29 October, 2025 for hearing.
