Ameh Ejekwonyilo
Abuja
The suit instituted by families of the Navy building collapse in Gwarinpa, Abuja, before an Abuja Federal High Court has been adjourned to October 6, for hearing.
The presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, adjourned the suit after the counsel to the victims, Barrister Hyp Egbune rejected the application for extension of time for out-of-court-settlement.
Defence counsel, O. Osuji, had applied for time to conclude on settlement talks. But Egbune told the court that the matter had delayed after several talks failed.
Abdulssamadu Usman for late Sa’adu Ila Daura; Ashiru Lawani for late Ahmadu Lawani and Nafiu Shitu for late Shitu Sani had on April 2, 2012 sued the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Navy Holdings, Engineer Leo and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) over the death of the victims in the building collapse.
Other injured persons who were joint applicants in the suit are Saminu Mai Kaka and Jafaru Saidu.
The three-storey block of flats at Block 1, 45 Road, 1st Avenue, Gwarinpa, Abuja, on January 28, 2012, collapsed following a manual demolition after the building was marked for demolition by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
The affected families claimed the sum of N2 billion in damages “for special and aggravated damages for wrongful deaths, physical injuries, pain, suffering, trauma and inconveniences suffered and legal expenses as a result of the negligent acts of the defendants.”
