By Emma Amaize

WARRI—Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, Oporoza, Warri South-West Local Government  Area, Delta State, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently direct the payment of the N99.9 billion judgment debt against the Federal Government since 2013 awarded by the court over the unlawful  military bombardment of Gbaramatu communities in 2009 by the Joint Task Force, JTF.

Muhammadu Buhari

The council, in an open letter by the Puwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief J.G.B. Ari,  and five others to President Buhari, said there was  no appeal whatsoever pending against the judgment since December 5, 2013 when the court ordered the Federal Government to pay the said amount as damages to the communities.

It said:  “There is resentment in Gbaramatu Kingdom because of the non-payment of the judgment debt, which ought to operate as a fine closure to the issue.

“We believe that the payment of the judgment debt, though long in coming, would justify the essence of following the path of the law for justice, rather than self-help. This is in sync with the much desired narrative of our people.”

The council, however, commended the Federal Government for its pronouncements on the Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko and the  establishment of modular refineries, advising that it should not allow the non-payment of the N99.9 billion judgment debt to degenerate into a fresh crisis in the area.