Ise-Oluwa Ige
22 April 2008
A Federal high court sitting in Abuja yesterday fixed Friday, this week, for ruling on a request by 8 prominent indigenes of the Bakassi Peninsula to enforce their fundamental human rights against the Federal Government over the ceding of Bakassi Peninsular to Cameroun.
The court fixed the date on a day the indigenes alleged that President Olusegun Obasanjo deceived them on his position over the cessation of the oil-rich peninsular to Cameroun.
They said that he invited them four times and promised them each time that he would never cede the oil rich region.
They said they were surprised when he eventually ceded the peninsular against his promise.
The ruling of the court will either activate or terminate hearing in the case.
It would be recalled that the indigenes have filed a class action before the Federal high court sitting in Abuja, demanding a total N456 billion compensation from the Federal Government over what they called "compulsory" ceding of their ancestral home to Cameroun.
The indigenes led by two former chairmen of Bakassi local government are also begging the court for
its order stopping the Federal Government from remitting funds due to Bakassi local government to the Cross River State .
Besides, they are also urging the court to issue an order restraining the government from relocating the administrative headquarters of Bakassi from Abana to any other place.
They also asked for an order stopping the Federal Government from ceding the remaining parts of Bakassi (Abana and Atabong Zones) to Cameroon .
The plaintiffs in the case include two ex-chairmen of Bakassi local government, Chief Emmanuel Etene and Hon. Ani Esin with six others.
Named as respondents are President Umaru Yar'Adua , the National Assembly, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Governor of Cross Rivers and the Cross Rivers State House of Assembly.
Others are the National Boundary Commission, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
In the suit filed at the registry of the Abuja division of the Federal high court, the plaintiffs are seeking N356 billion compensation from the government for the compulsory ceding of their ancestral homes and land and their source of livelihood to Cameroon in an unconstitutional manner.
They are also demanding N100 billion damages for the infringement of their human rights to dignity, to acquire and own immovable property and right to self determination.
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