The Delta State Government is set to appear before the High Court in Oleh tomorrow following a lawsuit accusing it of marginalization and discrimination in the allocation of public funds and projects.
The suit, filed by prominent lawyer Ejumejowo Anthony Asuotu, Esq., and Dr. Oke Michael Aziakpono, challenges the legality of the state’s ₦230 billion capital projects allocation for 2025, which the plaintiffs claim completely excludes Isoko South and Isoko North Local Government Areas.
According to court filings, the plaintiffs allege that the government deliberately sidelined the two local governments while distributing funds for capital projects across 23 others. They argue that the move contravenes several provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), including Sections 1(3), 14(1), 15(1), 16(1), 17(1), and 42, which collectively guarantee equality, fairness, and freedom from discrimination.
At the center of the case are three pivotal questions:
Whether the Delta State Government can lawfully discriminate against the Isoko people in the distribution of resources.
Whether the State House of Assembly acted constitutionally by passing a budget that excludes the two local governments.
Whether the Governor’s assent to such a budget stands valid under the law.
The applicants are seeking a series of judicial declarations and orders, including:
A ruling that the exclusion of Isoko South and Isoko North from the 2025 capital project allocation is unlawful and unconstitutional.
An order nullifying the ₦230 billion budgetary allocation.
An injunction restraining the government from any future acts of discrimination in public spending.
The total nullification of the 2025 Appropriation Law as assented to by the Governor.
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- Delta State Government faces legal battle over Isoko marginalization in N230 Billion projects Allocation
Speaking to The Trumpet Newspaper, Bar Tony Ejumejuwo lamented on how the government tried to frustrate the filing, stressing that the state government tried to deliberately force a situation on the court.
The development has stirred strong emotions across Delta State, particularly within the Isoko nation, where residents and civic groups have described the alleged exclusion as a deliberate act of marginalization. Analysts say the case could become a landmark in defining constitutional limits on state-level fiscal discretion and may shape future discussions on equitable resource distribution in Nigeria.
The matter, listed for hearing at the High Court, Oleh, is expected to attract wide public and media attention. The plaintiffs are being represented by Ejumejowo & Associates, and the proceedings may set the tone for broader legal scrutiny of budgetary fairness in state governance.
