POLICE TO PAY N10M FOR UNLAWFUL KILLING

The Federal High Court in Ibadan, on Thursday ordered the Nigerian Police Force to pay N10 million as compensation to the family of Alidu Hakeem, a commercial driver shot dead by a policeman at Saki.

Hakeem was shot to death by a police inspector, Ifeayin Onynbu on March 9, 2016 along Saki-Okere International Market road in Saki.

Consequently, Hakeem’s son, Afeez, instituted a suit bordering on enforcement of fundamental human right against the police.

Joined in the suit are the Inspector General of Police, Oyo State Police Commissioner, his Deputy and the Saki Police Divisional Headquarter.

The plaintiff had prayed the court to award N500 million as compensation for the unlawful killing of his father.

In the petition, the plaintiff said his father was shot in the head by Onynbu for refusing to give him an additional N100 bribe after he had collected the usual N100 paid by all commercial drivers at the police check point.

The Judge, Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel, in his ruling held that everyone has right to life and that deliberate killing of any individual in the society is against the law.

The Judge held that Onynbu’s refusal to contradict or challenge any of the arguments and exhibits tendered against him, meant that the court shall accept them as the truth.

“The applicant in this case has proved beyond reasonable doubt that Insp. Ifeayin Onynbu, the fifth respondent, committed the crime because he did nothing to defend himself despite the fact that he was aware of the case.

“There is no evidence before the court contradicting the facts presented by the applicant in the matter.

“I therefore believe same to be the true reflection of what happened before life was sniffed out of the deceased.

“It is evidence from the record before this court that the applicant’s father had three wives and several children.

“For this and many other reasons, a sum of N10 million is hereby awarded to the family of the deceased.

“The Inspector General of Police is therefore directed to investigate this matter and bring the said Onynbu to justice,” ruled the Judge.

Ayo-Emmanuel also indicted the first to the fourth respondents for complicity.

He stressed that the Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Divisional Police Headquarter at Saki were also responsible for the action of the fifth respondent, Onynbu.

The Judge noted that the submissions of the first to fourth respondents were discountenanced because they were filed out of time as stipulated by law.(NAN)

Comments

PEP GUARDIOLA AND LIONEL MESSI DONATE €1,000,000 EACH TO HELP FIGHT COVID-19

Manchester City football manager Pep Guardiola alongside Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi have each contributed a whooping €1million to help Spain and Argentina in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. According to Spanish media reports, Guardiola sent the money (equivalent to his monthly wage at Manchester City) to Barcelona Medical College and the Angel Soler Daniel foundation, a foundation named after a doctor from Santpedor, the town in Barcelona Guardiola hails from. Guardiola made the financial pledge on Tuesday following an appeal by the foundation over the weekend as the Spanish government declared a state of emergency on Saturday in a bid to quell the coronavirus pandemic. Messi, the World's 2019 footballer of the year, made his own contribution after taking part in several campaigns to raise awareness over the past week, highlighting the importance of staying at home and washing hands to avoid the virus from spreading. According to Cat...

ABIA GOVT TAKE MADE IN ABA TO USA

As part of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu's campaign for promoting Made-in-Aba products, Abia State government and Abia State National Association, U.S.A. and North America, ASNA-NA,showcased the potentials and quality of Aba products to the international community during the association's national convention in New York City, USA. The event saw many designers, such as Chumar, and thousands of products shipped in from Aba on display, with models on the runway, adorning Aba-made designs. According to the Special Assistant to the Abia State Governor on Diaspora Matters, Mr. John Ndubuisi, all the outfits on display were sold out and orders placed, noting that Made-in-Aba designs will soon be competing in the American market. He added that with the clamour for restructuring, Abia State Government is working to grow the local economy, provide employment, empower skilled artisans and boost internally-generated revenue, stressing that Aba, dubbed The Japan of Africa for its entrepreneurial ...

Barcelona report La Liga president

Barcelona have reported La Liga president Javier Tebas to Spain's highest sports court after he questioned their players' conduct during a heated 3-2 win at Valencia. The hosts were fined 1,500 euros (£1,340) after a water bottle was thrown from the stands at players. But the disciplinary committee also criticised the "reproachable behaviour" of the celebrating Barcelona players. The Catalan club said these declarations were "irresponsible". "The most serious thing is the thrown bottle, but some players acted in a way we don't like," Tebas said after the incident, also suggesting Barcelona players provoked Valencia fans. Barcelona said they have requested the Administrative Court of Sport open disciplinary proceedings against Tebas and members of the federation's competition committee. The club's president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, added: "Making statements regarding the actions of the players adds even more tension to a situation tha...

9JATRAFFIC

Search This Blog