CSO's in Nigeria urge Fidelity Bank PLC, BPE, Nerc , Mr. KC Akuma and others to respect court restraining orders and desist from the illegal takeover/management of Benin City Electricity Distribution Company.
A group of civil society organizations led by One Love Foundation has urged BPE, Fidelity Bank PLC, KC Akuma, Henry Ajagbawa, Nerc, and others to respect the restraining court orders of Justice Emma Nwite of the Federal High Court and to halt any attempt led by certain state actors in collaboration with BPE, Fidelity Bank PLC, and others to respect the interim court orders against the aforementioned named parties and let the parties desist from actually forcing anarchy.
The press release, in reference to the above, goes thus:
Our group, One Love Foundation, is an NGO committed to the promotion and defense of human rights, equality of all citizens, and justice for everyone all over the world.
The news of the recent illegal and forcefully take over of BEDC by some certain persons, which include Fidelity Bank PLC, Bpe, Nerc, Mr. K Akuma , Mr. Charles Ajagbawa, Yomi Adeyemi, and others with some state actors, in spite of the recent interim court orders issued by the Federal High Court Abuja per Coram: Justice Nwite granting in the main, interim restraining orders against all of the parties mentioned in this press release and their subsequent actions to undermine, disobey the court order order in suit no:Fhc/abj/C's/1113/2022 in Vigeo Nigeria Limited vs Fidelity Bank PLC, is not just shameful , but also a call to break down of law and order in Nigeria.
It is the age-old principle and already a settled position of the law that parties are expected to always obey the direct, positive, and lawful orders of any court in Nigeria, no matter how highly or lowly placed, and irrespective of the nature of court orders
Parties are also not expected to take any steps to overturn or undermine the sanctity of any court process or orders. As an NGO and human rights foundation, we are left wondering what motivated the recent invasion and attempted forceful/illegal takeover of the BEDC office in Benin City by all of the parties mentioned in this press release, all of whom have been restrained by court orders issued by the aforementioned courts.
We certainly do not understand the irrational actions by the parties above in this press release.
In this regard, we also implore the offices of inspector general of police and attorney general of the federation to, as a first point of call, rise to the present occasion and swiftly implement the machineries for the enforcement of the federal high court interim orders alongside other legal measures; and implore BPC, NERC, and their officers to halt forthwith the illegal and notorious takeover of BEDC by entities under their watch.
We are also, by this press release, imploring the IGP of Nigeria to mandate the Edo state commissioner of police and all officers under his watch to give effect to the above court order and prohibit the possibility of the above lawless parties forcing a state of anarchy on the present leadership of BEDC.
However, as a body, we shall continue to watch events as they unfold, and we enjoin all the parties restrained by the Federal High Court to submit themselves to the ongoing court proceedings in respect of this matter, instead of resorting to self-help, using the machinery of state actors and other apparatus.
We sincerely hope that this press release will, in good fate, save the people of Edo state and Nigeria from the impending economic ruin and electricity blackout in the instance that the parties mentioned in this press release refuse to heed wise counsel and decide to undermine the restraining court orders granted against them.
One Love Foundation appreciates the online and TV press for this press release, and God bless you all.
Signed
Is
Thomas Markus
Head of communication
One Love Foundation
Signed
Ihe
Ihensekhien, Samuel
Legal Representative
One love foundation.