The Bayelsa State High Court, Nembe Division, has issued a 42-day ultimatum to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to appear before it regarding a ₦649 million hotel debt lawsuit.
The directive also applies to the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission, who are co-defendants in the case.
The suit was brought before the court by Chief Darius Obiene, the proprietor of Euphemie Motel, a prominent hospitality establishment located in Opu-Nembe, Nembe Bassambiri, in the Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
According to Saharareporters, the court warned that if the IGP, the Nigeria Police, and the Police Service Commission fail to appear — either in person or through a legal representative — judgment may be entered against them in their absence.
Background of the Dispute
Chief Obiene filed the suit after alleging that the police failed to settle lodging debts incurred by members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit.
The SWAT team, reportedly led by one CSP Silas Adebayo, had allegedly occupied Euphemie Motel from August 12, 2023, up to October 3, 2024, using it as an operational base during a sting operation in Opu-Nembe ahead of the Bayelsa State governorship elections.
Reports claim that the deployment of the SWAT team was at the request of Chief Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate for the election.
Chief Obiene asserts that the SWAT team’s occupation of his hotel was unauthorized, and despite repeated efforts, the police refused to pay the accommodation fees. This prompted him to seek legal redress.
Details of the Court Case
In the suit marked BHC/NHC/CV/323/2024, Chief Obiene is seeking several declarations and monetary awards from the court. The key demands include:
“A declaration that the claimants are entitled to the sum of ₦25,000 per night per room for to rooms contained therein from the 12th of August, 2023 to 3rd of October, 2024 when the defendant’s vacate the claimant’s premises.
“A declaration that the claimant is entitled to the sum of ₦100,000 only person conference per day per for the three conference halls contained therein from the 12th of August,2023 to 3rd of October,2024 when the defendant’s vacated the claimant’s business premises.
“A declaration that the claimants are entitled to the sum of ₦649,450,000 for the period between 12th of August,2023 to 3rd of October,2024.
“An order of this court mandating the defendant’s to pay the defendant’s the sum of ₦649,450,000 for the period between 12th of August, 2023 to 3rd of October, 2024.
“And the sum of ₦200,000,000 against the defendant’s for the damages done to the claimants as result of their forceful entry and occupying same for a period well over 13 months and loss of revenue accruing bar and restaurant.”