N50 billion suit against FG: Fulani Counsel confesses in open court that Berom have suffered heavy losses as a result of crises

By Joseph A.Adudu

The counsel representing the Fulani community in Plateau state in the N50 billion suit against the Federal Government at the Federal High Court, Jos, M. M Nurudeen (SAN), on Tuesday admitted in open court that the Berom people have suffered heavy losses as a result of crises in Plateau state. The Fulani community in Plateau state have instituted a suit against the Federal Government at the Federal High Court Jos Division in 2016 seeking declaratory reliefs and monetary compensation in the sum of N50 billion for the lives and properties lost by them within the period of 2007 to 2012 to the Berom people of Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau state.

However, the Berom people made an application to the court as parties seeking to be joined as co- defenders. Arguing on the application, Edward Pwajok SAN, counsel for parties seeking to be joined urged the court to grant the application taking into account that the Fulani alleged that it was the Berom people that killed their people in the above mentioned local government stressing that in the spirit of fair hearing, (which is also a fundamental right as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution), the Berom people have a fundamental right to be heard and not to be condemned in their absence.

M.M Nurudeen SAN, confesses in open court that Berom have suffered heavy losses as a result of crises.

Counsel for the Fulani however, opposed the application, though acknowledged that the Berom people have suffered heavy losses as a result of crises in the state when he said, ” It is true my Lord that the Berom people have also suffered heavy losses as a result of the crises”.

Counsel however, noted that the Berom should have applied to be joined as plaintiffs rather than as co- defenders so as both the Fulani and the Berom communities could hold the Federal Government ransom of the unfortunate lost of lives and properties in Plateau state.

Counsel for parties seeking to be joined told the court that they would have done exactly what counsel for Plaintiffs/respondents was saying if only the Berom people were not alleged to be responsible for the killings of the Fulani. “My Lord, there are grave allegations that hordes of Berom people killed Fulani in Jos south, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas. My Lord, may I humbly submit that this raises the question as to whether or not the Berom people killed Fulani in these local government areas. So, this question must be answered before reliefs are granted or denied”.

The matter was adjourned till February 12, 2020 for ruling on the application.

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N50 billion suit against FG: Fulani Counsel confesses in open court that Berom have suffered heavy losses as a result of crises