OHHA MICROFINANCE BANK FILES N20BN SUIT AGAINST ENUGU GOVT OVER ALLEGED UNLAWFUL DEMOLITION

OHHA MICROFINANCE BANK FILES N20BN SUIT AGAINST ENUGU GOVT OVER ALLEGED UNLAWFUL DEMOLITION

Ohha Microfinance Bank Limited has filed a legal suit against the Enugu State Government, claiming that the demolition and destruction of its headquarters and assets were unlawful and without compensation.

The bank is seeking a total of N20,420,194,500 in damages for the alleged violation of its constitutional rights.

The lawsuit, filed at the Enugu State High Court on Monday, names the Enugu State Government and the Attorney General of the state as defendants.

The bank argues that the demolition, which took place on May 15, 2024, violated its constitutional right to own property.

The bank is specifically challenging the 72-hour notice it received to vacate its corporate headquarters on Ogui Road, Enugu, followed by the destruction of its headquarters and valuable assets, including two safes valued at N15 million. In its suit, the bank claims that the actions of the Enugu State Government contravene Sections 43 and 44(1) of the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights laws.

The suit also includes a demand for N420,194,500 in special damages and an additional N20 billion in aggravated, punitive, and general damages for the unlawful destruction of the bank’s assets.

The bank is further requesting interest at a rate of 18% on the special damages from May 15, 2024, until judgment is delivered, and a 10% interest on the total judgment sum until it is fully paid.

In his statement, Olu Omotayo, one of the lawyers representing the bank, highlighted that the government’s actions have undermined the state’s claim to be investor-friendly.

The lawyer noted that the state’s refusal to compensate the bank for its property violations is a direct breach of Nigerian constitutional rights.