Oghenetejiri Nyerhovwo, Warri
A High Court sitting in Warri Delta State presided over by Hon. Justice Vera Agbodje has entered judgement against former Minister of State for Education Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi and his hotel over an incident which led to the stripping naked of three female and a male workers in his hotel in Effurun.
In a suit filed by the claimant lawyer Barrister Kunle Edun on behalf of the claimant Victor Ephraim, who alleged that the former Minister used armed mobile policemen attached to him to forcibly strip him and three female staff, accusing them of not remitting money paid by an hotel guest.
The incident which happened in September 17th and 18th 2020 according to the claimant led to the seizure of their ATM cards and the withdrawal of monies in their account.
In delivering her judgement, the High Court held that the story presented by the former Minister were false and not believable.
The court finally awarded the sum of one million naira against the former Minister and his hotel in favour of Mr. Victor Ephraim, while also admitting the fact that the former Minister took laws into his hands.
Contacted for his reaction, the former Minister and governorship candidate of the SDP, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi said the false proof and documentation was allegedly arranged by the Delta state governor Ifeanyi Okowa, his wife and former Delta attorney general Peter Mrakpor SAN to rubbish him as he was too powerful and popular.
According to Gbagi, “Judges must be seen to be doing Justice for the public in oder for them to be respected. I urge my teeming growing supporters to Ignore this Okowa’s Paid Judgement. You cannot de-market what God has marketed.”
