Nnimmo Bassey To Face Contempt Of Court, Says ERA/FoEN

By Simeon OSAJIE

Arc. Nnimmo Bassey, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) and a former staff of ERA/FoEN, Barr. Chima Williams have been dragged before the Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos for contempt of court.

 Recall that the Federal High Court order made on 7th October 2020 had restrained the duo from parading themselves as the Board Chairman and Acting Executive Director of ERA/FoEN respectively.

The incumbent Executive Director of the organization, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo and three others had in a suit no: FHC/L/CS/1421/2020 sued Messrs Bassey over conflict of interest and abuse of office.

In a press statement issued and signed by Barrister Mike Karikpo, Director of Programmes of ERA/FoEN, stated that Messrs Bassey and Williams have severally violated the court order with reckless abandon and utter disregard to the rule of law, hence the decision to slam them with contempt of court.

He stated further that an application to draw their attention to the contempt of court process has been filed against the duo of Nnimmo Bassey and Chima Williams failing to obey the court order would be made to appear before the court and explain why they have continually breached the court order. 

Meanwhile, Barrister Mike Karikpo, has appealed to the Global Green Grants and Friends of the Earth International to call its former Chairman and Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HoMEF) to order to avoid the simmering crisis arising from the conflict of interest.