In continuation of its enforcement of the state’s Ground Rent Law, the Delta State Ground Rent Mobile Court has ordered a total of 36 property owners within the State to pay the required ground rent for their properties or face a two months jail term in lieu of the twelve months maximum jail term prescribed by law.
The Mobile Court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Doris Mokwenye sitting in Asaba, tried a total of 49 cases of land owners who defaulted in the payment of their statutory annual Ground Rent and gave her judgement in accordance with Section 56 sub-A & B of the Delta State Internal Revenue Service Law 2020.
The Chief Magistrate, in her judgement, ruled that the defendants should pay the total outstanding Ground Rents and in addition pay 10% of the statutory fees.
She further ruled that failure to pay as ordered would result in a two-months imprisonment.
The charges against thirteen other property owners were withdrawn because they paid up their Ground Rents before the Court Sitting.
The Chairman of the Delta State Ground Rent Committee Task Force, Mr. Paul Esejor in a statement after the court process said that he was satisfied with the level of judgement delivered by the Mobile Court handling the Ground Rent matters in Delta North Zone.
He noted that all the cases at the Mobile Court had a time frame and would be a continuous exercise in Delta South, Central and North Zones respectively.
Speaking on the performance level of the Mobile Courts, he said they had achieved notable results that have improved compliance.
“Since these cases commenced on 2nd of September, 2024, so far 91 cases have been dispensed within the period under review and over 30 percent of them have made payments,” he noted.
… Delta News Bulletin
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