Court Orders Nigerian Navy to Vacate Port Harcourt Property

On Wednesday, a Rivers State High Court ordered the Nigerian Navy to vacate a disputed property located at Plot 81, GRA Phase 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt. The court awarded N200 million in damages to the Zidougha family, concluding a legal battle that began in 2016 when Lawrenc Zidougha filed a suit against the Chief of Naval Staff and the Nigerian Navy Command.

The court found that the Navy's occupation of the property was unlawful and constituted trespass, as it occurred without the Zidougha family's approval. Justice Chinwendu Nwogu ruled that the Zidougha family had established ownership of the property and were entitled to full control.

The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the Navy from further trespassing on the property and mandated the Navy to pay N150 million in damages. The judgment includes an interest rate of 10% per annum on the awarded sum until it is fully paid.