Justice Esohe Ikponmwen of Benin High Court, has given the paramount ruler (Otaru) of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh Ikelebe III, 31 days to vacate Bendel Hotel, a property belonging to Orbit Building Society Limited.
The said property is located in the plot of land housing the present palace of Auchi.
The judge also ordered the monarch to pay the sum of N10 million as damages to the claimant for the property which he has occupied for 22 years.
The award of damages followed a suit filed by the Managing Director Orbit Building Society Limited, Ikokhode Julius, requesting the Monarch to quit the property.
Orbit Building Society had in 1997 filed the suit challenging the Otaru to quit the property located at old Government Reservation Area, Auchi.
It was gathered that the property was bought by the claimant from Edo State government in 1993 with an agreement to continue to keep the hotel running and provide employment opportunity for the people of Auchi community.
Granting the claimant’s right to take full possession of the property as it’s rightful owner, Justice Ikponmwen stressed that the company acquired the said property in 1993, adding that since the second defendant has no tie with the property, he should vacate it within 31 days.
The Judge then awarded five million as general damages and five million as exemplary damages against the Otaru. According to Justice Ikomwen, the damages would have be bigger, owing to the number of years the second respondent occupied the property, but was awarded in line with the demand of the claimant.
Reacting to the judgment, Mr. Ikokhode said “I am happy that the court has given me my property back after 22 years.”
Source: Naij.com
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