Lawyer Files N20b Suit Against Nigerian Government For Excluding South East In Loan Distribution

A Lagos based human rights lawyer, Joe Nwokedi has filed a N20 billion suit against the Federal Government for excluding South-East Geopolitical Zone from $22.7 billion loan distribution.

In the suit filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos, Nwokedi said it is unjust and unconstitutional for the federal government to exclude the South East from its 22.7b loan, which was recently approved by the National Assembly.

The exclusion of the South East among beneficiary of loan had generated and attracted huge public outcry and condemnation from well meaning Nigerians.

All projects upon which the loan would be executed excluded those in the South East Geopolitical Zone. In view of the perceived injustice against the region, Nwokedi therefore approached the Federal High court, to challenge the action.

Also joined in the suit are National Assembly, Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Character Commission and the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice.

The applicant prayed the court to award the sum of N20 billion only as general and aggravated damages suffered by himself and the People of South East Geopolitical Zone, inclusive of other reliefs sought in the suit.

The matter has been assigned to Justice Ayokunle Faji and has been adjourned to September 16, 2020 for hearing. Meanwhile, the applicant has written to the court for abridgement of the date due to the urgency involved in the matter.

KanyiDaily recalls that IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu had said that the constant exclusion of South East by the President Buhari-led APC government led to IPOB’s agitation for the Sovereign State of Biafra.