BENIN CITY – A Magistrate Court sitting in Benin City, the Edo State Capital, yesterday adjourned a case of alleged environmental pollution between Ikpoba Slope community and owner of Abattoir in the area, Mrs. Sarah Uwaifo, to February 16, 2022 for continuation of hearing.
Mr. Ken Omusi and Mr. Kenneth Imafidon on behalf of Ikpoba Youth Development Association and other inhabitants of the community in suit number MOGB/56/2021, had dragged Mrs. Uwaifo to the court, claiming amongst others that the cow dungs and waste excreta from the defendant’s abattoir dumped in the community as well as burning of cow hair and skin constitute nuisance in the area
They prayed for perpetual injunction, restraining the defendant, her servants, agents, or workers at the abattoir from dumping cow excreta, roasting of cow head and dumping of cow dungs along the street of the community.
The community also asked for N5 million damages from the defendant for the nuisance she has alleged been and still constituting in the area.
At the hearing yesterday, counsel to the defendant pleaded for adjournment on the ground that his principal, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, was at the Supreme Court, in Abuja and would wanted to personally handle the case.
He told the court that Dr. Obayuwana would appear before the court on the next adjourned date.
But counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Abayomi Thomas sternly objected to the defendant’s counsel oral application, arguing that the counsel who asked for adjournment has not been able to file a defense for his client before the time elapsed.
He however urged the court to fine the defense counsel N50,000, so that they would be deligent in the case next time.
Chief Magistrate Prince Mutairu Oarhe, having listern to both counsels argument and counter argument adjourned the case to February 16, 2022 for continuation of hearing.
