The Federal Top Court docket in Abuja has ordered the Separate Nationwide Electoral Fee to pay N1.12bn in reimbursement to the community of 1 Mike Madu, killed via an INEC motive force in Imo Order.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment on Friday, ordered INEC to pay the N1.12bn with 10 in step with cent hobby in step with annum from the day of judgment till the general or complete cost is made.
As well as, the pass judgement on ordered INEC, its Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, and alternative defendants to ship a letter of condolence to the past due Madu’s community.
“An order is hereby made for the defendants to pay the cost of prosecuting this action. This shall be the judgment of this court,” Justice Ekwo added.
The plaintiff, Augustine Madu, filed the swimsuit to the behalf of the Umudurugwu, Umuokwe, Awo-Omamma people in Oru-East Native Executive Department of Imo Order.
The amended writ of summons, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1074/2019, indexed INEC, its Chairman, the INEC Commissioner in Abuja, and an INEC escort motive force, Hassan Abdul, as the primary to fourth defendants, respectively.
Augustine filed the swimsuit on September 18, 2019, in quest of 4 comforts, together with an series for the defendants to pay N1.12bn in reimbursement to Madu’s community for the illegal termination of his hour.
In his commentary of declare, Augustine described his deceased brother, Mike Madu, as a a success businessman born on June 9, 1970, to the past due John and Chioma Madu in Awo-Omamma, Imo Order.
He stated Abdul, an INEC personnel member and motive force below the place of job of the nationwide commissioner, used to be chargeable for the gruesome clash that claimed Mike’s hour on June 16, 2019.
On September 10, 2019, dead body’s community resolved to pluck criminal motion in opposition to the defendants.
Augustine famous that his brother continuously travelled between China and Nigeria, ceaselessly accompanying Chinese language buyers to facilitate trade alternatives.
On one such go back and forth, Mike used to be escorting two Chinese language buyers to discover funding potentialities within the Enugu Order Isolated Business Zone.
All over their walk at the Itobe-Anyigba Throughway in Kogi Order, their Lexus automotive, pushed via Ega Chukwudi of Auto Superstar Shipping Corporate, collided with a Toyota V8 Land Cruiser Jeep pushed via the fourth defendant, Hassan Abdul.
The Toyota, engaged via Abdul and a police escort, Sgt. Usman Abdullahi, misplaced regulate, swerved into the other lane, and crashed into the Lexus in a head-on strike.
The Land Cruiser upcoming somersaulted right into a bush and stuck hearth, moment the Lexus sustained weighty injury.
Mike sustained dreadful accidents and died, together with one of the vital Chinese language buyers, Huang Hia Yan.
The sufferers have been taken to Holley Memorial Health facility in Ochadamu Village for scientific consideration, moment dead body have been next transferred to Kogi Order Specialist Health facility Mortuary.
The surviving Chinese language investor, Qu Xin Dong, used to be admitted to the similar health center, moment Chukwudi, the Lexus motive force, used to be handled at Enugu Order Orthopaedic Health facility. Abdul and his police escort gained remedy at Holley Memorial Health facility.
A police record dated July 16, 2019, concluded that Abdul’s reckless dashing used to be the reason for the clash.
On July 10, 2019, the Kogi Order Important Justice of the Peace Court docket ordered a autopsy exam of dead body. The plaintiff next acquired a warrant to bury his brother and dead body investor.
Augustine lamented that right through this era, INEC and its officers confirmed incorrect worry or regret for inflicting Mike’s demise.
He emphasised that his past due brother used to be no longer most effective the breadwinner of his rapid and prolonged community but in addition equipped for his Chinese language spouse, Xiaojuan Li, and their son.
He additional said that Mike’s premature demise had left his community in misery, particularly his spouse and kid in China, and that INEC had willfully refused to do business in any reimbursement.
All over the trial, the plaintiff introduced two eyewitnesses, together with Josephine Emumwen, an officer within the Nigeria Police Power, Kogi Order Command.
Augustine testified as the primary eyewitness, adopting his written commentary on June 14, 2023.
Even supposing he used to be recalled for cross-examination on November 16, 2023, the defendants failed to look in court docket.
Justice Ekwo, ruling in partiality of the plaintiff, preserved the claims and awarded the reimbursement.