A fierce legal battle is underway at the High Court of Justice, Ughelli Judicial Division, as a renowned human rights activist and founder of Explosive Academy, Mr. Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho seeks justice over what he claimed was an unlawful, violent eviction carried out by the government agents and local vigilantes.
The suit, filed under case number UHC/M/6/2024, demands a whopping N100 billion in damages for alleged breach of constitutional rights, destruction of property, and abuse of judicial process.
In court documents, Aghogho alleged that on May 22, 2020, armed members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (Abraka Unit), purportedly acting on orders from court officials, stormed his residence and school located at No. 1 Ogefere Street, Erho-Abraka to forcefully evict him.
He claimed that the eviction was carried out without due process, and in a manner that flagrantly violated his fundamental human rights – including his right to appeal as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
In the suit, Aghogho is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling the respondents to account for their actions. He is relying on statutory provisions, such as Section 50 of the Delta State Customary Court Law 2019, Order XIX of the Delta State Customary Court Rules 2019, and relevant provisions of the Criminal Code Law. He argued that these laws were disregarded in the events leading to and during the eviction.
Named as respondents in the suit are the Ughelli North Area Customary Court, the Registrar of the same court, the bailiff, the Deputy Chief Registrar of the High Court of Justice, Warri, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Inspector Jimmy Uduak, Engineer Odeseneka Gabriel, Mr. Nikoro Kennedy (Chief Security Officer of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Abraka Unit), and Mr. Foster Ogefere, a member of the same vigilante group
Aghogho contended that the respondents conspired to execute an eviction that not only destroyed his personal property and educational institution but also amounted to arbitrary use of state power in violation of his legal protections. He is urging the court to not only declare the eviction illegal but also to award damages sufficient to serve as both compensation and deterrent.
Recall that Aghogho had petitioned the National Judicial Council to investigate Justice Ojugbana-Orishedere, the President of the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal, over alleged misconduct. Aghogho claimed that the judge allowed an unlawful execution of a 2019 judgment by vigilantes despite a pending appeal. He also accused the judge of failing to ensure proper record compilation and ignoring petitions, allegedly undermining judicial integrity.
He urged the NJC to act to protect public trust in the judiciary.
The case, now attracting attention across legal and civil rights circles, is expected to test the boundaries of accountability for state and quasi-state actors in the enforcement of judicial orders.
The case which has been pending at the Delta State High Court 4 Ughelli, has been adjourned repeatedly without hearing to May 7, 2025.
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