Delta State Sued Over Alleged Isoko Marginalisation

Two lawyers from the Isoko ethnic group have filed a lawsuit against the Delta State government over claims that Isoko South and Isoko North local government areas were deliberately excluded from a N230 billion capital project allocation approved by the state’s Executive Council.

Barristers Anthony Asuotu Ejumejowo and Oke Michael Aziakpono have challenged the legality of this exclusion, calling it discriminatory and unconstitutional. Their suit, filed at the Delta State High Court in Oleh, names key state officials as respondents and seeks judicial intervention to ensure equitable distribution of public funds.

The applicants accuse the government of favouring local governments linked to the governor and his predecessor, while sidelining the Isoko people an oil-producing community that has long voiced concerns over marginalisation.

In response, Delta State’s Commissioner for Works, Charles Aniagwu, defended the government, noting that the Isoko nation has benefited from over 50 strategic projects in road, health, and education sectors.

The court has yet to set a hearing date for the matter.