By Admin 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
DELTA: An Effurun High Court in Delta State has awarded N3.34 billion in damages against Sterling Bank Plc, Bay Resources and Allied Services Ltd for unlawfully sealing, shutting down, and forcefully taking over Wellington Hotel Ltd premises between September 11, 2015, and May 31, 2016.
Delivering judgment in suit No. EHC/75/2020 Wellington Hotel Ltd Vs Sterling Bank Plc and Another, Justice Emmanuel Dolor declared the sale of Wellington Hotel by the defendants null and void, ordering them to render full accounts of the hotel’s proceeds during the period of occupation.
Justice Dolor ruled that Sterling Bank Plc must pay N1 billion as general damages, an additional N1 billion for damages to the property, and N1.337 billion as special damages for income lost during the eight-month illegal occupation.
A further N2.8 million was awarded for perishable items destroyed at the premises.
The court also directed the defendants to render an account of the management of the facility before January 25, 2025. Additionally, a 20% interest on the awarded sum must be paid, starting from the day of judgment.