By John Odhe, YENAGOA
The King Judge’s Court Hotel, Etegwe, has opted for out-of-court settlement with the Bayelsa Environmental Sanitation Authority over a case of illegal sewage disposal instituted against it by the authority.
The environmental sanitation authority had taken the hotel to court following complaints from victims of the sewage disposal from the facility which they described as dangerous to their health.
In charge number YMC/ESA/MISC67/2026 under Magistrate, Brossa-Ere Merriam, the case borders on a three-count charge against King George’s court Hotel for failing to comply with an abatement notice issued on March 18, 2026.
The notice directed the management to stop the alleged discharge of sewage within 14 days; an offence it said contravenes provisions of the Bayelsa State Public Health Law and Criminal Laws of 2006.
When the case came up for hearing on Tuesday, counsel to the defendants, Barr. Felix Omoro told the court that there was an arrangement to settle the matter out of court.
On that note, the court held that before the issue of out-of-court settlement could be raised, case charge must be red for the defendants to respond.
When the charges were red, the Human Resource Manager of the hotel, Clara Chioma pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Thereafter, the defence counsel made an oral bail application for the defendant which the court granted to the tone of N300,000 with a surety residing in Yenagoa, who ensure that the defendant appeared always in court.
The court adjourned the case to August 3, 2026, ordering both parties to return to the court with their report of settlement.
One of the victims of the sewage disposal, Becky Duabofa, who spoke to our correspondent after the court session, said although she was not averse to-out-of-court settlement, the hotel should reorganize their sewage disposal to avoid public nuisance.
Also speaking, the Technical Adviser to the governor on Environment 1, Comrade Morris Alagoa said his concern was for every Bayelsan to breathe in fresh air and enjoy good health.
“The issue is about public health and if this leave of office can actually bring that public health safety concern to an end, if the people living within that neighborhood no longer perceive that odour that had resulted into their complaining, if the hotel has done the needful to address the reason we are in court, then, no problem.
“My coming to the court is to observe and I think the court is actually doing the needful, asking the necessary questions and making pronouncements.
“At the end of the day, if judgement is delivered in the interest of the public, we will say Hallelujah,” concluded.
