Enugu State
Government says it will pay N80 million compensation for the illegal demolition
of a property belonging to Chief Fidelis Okoro within 90 days.
The property
situated at No. 11 Savage Crescent, GRA, Enugu, was demolished in 2005 on the
orders of the then governor, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani.
Okoro, who
was then representing Enugu North Senatorial Zone in the Senate, proceeded to
court and obtained judgment against the state government for the payment of
N140 million for the illegal act.
However, the
matter lingered as the last administration did not honour the judgment.
The State
Commissioner for Information, Dr Godwin Udeuhele said that the approval to pay
the damage was given at the meeting of the State Executive Council on
Wednesday.
Briefing
newsmen on Thursday on the outcome of the meeting, Udeuhele said that the
action of the then administration was without justification.
He said that
the council made the approval to forestall further litigation as the ex-senator
had threatened to approach the court for enforcement of the judgment.
“Okoro got
the judgment during the past administration in the state but the state
government could not honour it.
“The last
administration could not pay the money and the senator had threatened to
approach the court for an enforcement order.
“The state
government approached and negotiated with him after which he decided to forfeit
N60 million from the original amount considering the state of things in the
economy,” he said.
According to Saharareporters, Udeuhele
said that the outstanding N80 million would be paid within 90 days of the
approval and was free from Value Added Tax or any other deductions.
The
commissioner said that the ex-senator needed to be commended for his patriotism
in forfeiting such huge amount to the state government.
Okoro, who
hails from the same senatorial zone with the current governor, was at the
Senate from 1999 to 2007.
0 Comments