The Delta State Committee on Ground Rent Task Force has dragged property owners who defaulted in the payment of Ground Rent to court in accordance with Section 56 of the Delta State Internal Revenue Service Law, 2020.
The Task Force, through the Delta State Internal Revenue Service, charged a total of 43 property ownersbefore a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Asaba for defaulting in the payment of their annual ground rent to the State Government, after having been duly served demand notices and court summons.
The Mobile Court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Doris Mokwenye, after having heard from both parties,passed judgement by giving orders for those found guilty to pay the statutory fee in addition to 10% of the fee.
She further ordered that failure to comply, defaulters would be liable to one month imprisonment while those that have complied before the seating of the Court had their charges withdrawn.
Mr. Paul Esejor, the Chairman of the Delta State Committee on Ground Rent Task Force while speaking to journalists after the court process, noted that the Committee adopted the Mobile Court Process in handling Ground Rent matters for ease of processing.
“I wish to say that this particular Court process is very much in line with the mandate of the Ground Rent Committee in ensuring the quick dispensation of justice without any undue delay in the system, hence the need to apply the Mobile Court approach.
“It will interest you to know that Mobile Courts are usually special Courts set up by an enabling law and constituted by the Chief Judge of the State, usually with a Magistrate, who is a person who lays down the Law- that’s a Judge or other civil authority who conducts a Court.”
The Chairman of the Ground Rent Committee Task Force speaking on whether adequate notice was given to the Ground Rent defaulters before going to Court, said they were duly notified.
“It will interest you to know that Ground Rent is a statutory fee payable by all landed property owners in the State, with or without Certificate of Occupancy (C of O). Every year, the State Government takes out time to issue Demand Notices on all defaulters and in addition to the Demand Notices, announcements are made both in the print and electronic media, reminding them of their obligations to the State Government and why they need to pay their rent on time; but they do not comply until force is applied through the courts. For your information, the applicable Statutory Fees and Charges in the State includes: (1.) Ground Rent. (2.) The Governor’s Consent Fee. (3) Infrastructural Development fee (4.) Alteration fees. (5.) Fencing Fee & BQ Fee. (6.) Change of Use Fees (Where applicable) and finally (7.) Building Plan Approval,” He stated.
On the level of compliance by property owners in the State on issue of payment of Ground Rent, he noted that with the help of the Court and the Mass media, more people have now become aware of the need to pay their Ground Rent.
Mr. Esejor adviced property owners in the state to support the government through the payment of their Ground Rent so that the Government would have enough funds to finance projects and provide more infrastructure for the good of the people of the State.
Earlier, the prosecutor for the state Mr. Dibuike Esuzoremphasized that the Mobile Court was set up to hear matters concerning Ground Rent in the State.
He admonished defaulters to pay the amounts stated on the demand notices in order to avoid litigation.
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