When the Olusegun Obasanjo-led government ordered army troops to invade Odi community in Bayelsa State way back in 1999, little did Goodluck Jonathan know that his future government would be paying for that 'big' piece of indiscretion. . . Paying N37.6 Billion as damages, to be exact.
On Tuesday, Justice Lambi Akanbi of a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, ordered the Federal Government to pay N37.6 billion as compensation within 21 days to the people of Odi in Bayelsa State over the invasion of their community by armed soldiers in 1999.
The ruling followed a N100 Billion suit filed by the people of Odi on the matter.
After 12 policemen were killed by armed gangs based in Odi on November 5, 1999, the Obasanjo-led government deployed soldiers to the town on November 20, 1999, an action which left the town in ruins, three short days later.
Alongside the demand for compensation, the community demanded for the Federal Government to issue a public apology for the total destruction and the loss of over 1000 lives. It also asked the court to order the Federal Government to rebuild the community.
With this ruling, the people of Odi might begin the slow process of finally laying to rest the demons that have plagued them since the tragic events of that day began.
Some argue that without the presence of a Bayelsa man in the seat of power, such a ruling would've never seen the light of day.
. . . Doesn't matter. . .
This ruling has come to make us understand that trampling on people's rights will no longer go unpunished. It might take a year, or it might take 14 years. . .
. . . But justice will be served, one way or another.
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