₦airaland Forum

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to pay ₦1.12 billion in compensation to the family of Mike Madu, who was killed in an accident caused by an INEC driver in Imo State.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Inyang Ekwo directed INEC to pay the ₦1.12 billion with a 10% interest per annum from the date of judgment until full payment is made.

Additionally, the court mandated INEC, its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and other defendants to send a formal condolence letter to the deceased’s family.

“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 ruled.

Legal Battle Against INEC

The lawsuit was filed by Augustine Madu on behalf of the Umudurugwu, Umuokwe, Awo-Omamma community in Oru-East Local Government Area of Imo State.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1074/2019, named INEC, its Chairman, the INEC Commissioner in Abuja, and an INEC escort driver, Hassan Abdul, as first to fourth defendants.

Augustine sought ₦1.12 billion in compensation for what he described as the unlawful termination of his brother’s life.

Fatal Accident in Kogi State

According to court records, Mike Madu, a successful businessman, was killed in a road accident on June 16, 2019, while escorting Chinese investors exploring business opportunities in Nigeria.

The accident occurred along the Itobe-Anyigba Expressway in Kogi State when their Lexus car, driven by Ega Chukwudi of Auto Star Transport Company, collided with a Toyota V8 Land Cruiser driven by Hassan Abdul, an INEC driver.

Abdul, who was traveling with a police escort, Sgt. Usman Abdullahi, lost control of his vehicle, swerved into the opposite lane, and crashed head-on into the Lexus.

The Land Cruiser somersaulted into a bush and caught fire, while the Lexus sustained heavy damage.

Mike Madu and one of the Chinese investors, Huang Hia Yan, died instantly.

Investigations and Court Rulings

A police report dated July 16, 2019, confirmed that reckless speeding by Hassan Abdul caused the accident.

Following the accident, a post-mortem examination was conducted at the order of the Kogi State Chief Magistrate Court, after which the deceased were buried.

Augustine Madu lamented that INEC showed no concern or remorse for his brother’s death, despite his role as the breadwinner of his family.

“Mike left behind his Chinese wife, Xiaojuan Li, and their young son, who are struggling to cope with his tragic death,” he stated.

During the trial, the plaintiff presented two witnesses, including a Nigerian police officer, Josephine Emumwen.

Despite being given an opportunity, INEC and its representatives failed to appear in court, leading Justice Ekwo to rule in favour of the plaintiff.

The ruling has sparked discussions on institutional accountability and the need for government agencies to be held responsible for their employees' actions.

Source: The Bureau Newspaper

No amount is too much for lost of life

Trust wicked INEC to appeal instead of adhering, they will rather spend the money on endless appeal's instead of just paying up

The fact that INEC did not even bother to put up an appearance in court shows the disdain they have for the bereaved family. I'm sure that is why the judge came down very hard on them. My condolences to the bereaved.

chicfarmer:
The fact that INEC did not even bother to put up an appearance in court shows the disdain they have for the bereaved family. I'm sure that is why the judge came down very hard on them. My condolences to the bereaved.

Look at the numbers, do you think INEC will pay such amount?

Yes! Human lives are supposed to be priceless, but c'mon. A Nigerian government entity won't want to pay such.

Iffahear

who wan bet am say no money will be paid

h

chicfarmer:
The fact that INEC did not even bother to put up an appearance in court shows the disdain they have for the bereaved family. I'm sure that is why the judge came down very hard on them. My condolences to the bereaved.

Probably

royalamour:
Look at the numbers, do you think INEC will pay such amount?

Yes! Human lives are supposed to be priceless, but c'mon. A Nigerian government entity won't want to pay such.

d issue here is not even d money but how stupid n useless inec is ...if it had shown a bit of care

Wow, this is wonderful....maybe it's time for Nigerians to position their dying relatives on INEC's vehicle path and collect 2billion next time, Nairalanders this is a rare opportunity to share in the Nigerian government loot

This judgement will most likely be upturned by the Appeal Court.

this is a very strange story, i believe this kind of things dont happen by chance.

I will like to know the consequences if INEC refuses to pay the money.

What happened to the INEC Driver andthe escort?

Moral of the story, Marry Oyibo, so that when Nigeria finally kills you, the settlement will be in billions , imagine the hypocrisy, ...

royalamour:
Look at the numbers, do you think INEC will pay such amount?

Yes! Human lives are supposed to be priceless, but c'mon. A Nigerian government entity won't want to pay such.

The damages is ridiculous given INEC's total budget.
I think the judge made such to punish INEC for refusing to show up.
There will most likely be an appeal with reasonable settlement.

Many people will not mind one wicked uncle being killed for ₦1.12billion compensation.

Simpleshafee:
I will like to know the consequences if INEC refuses to pay the money.

The judge could order the arrest of its chairman or freezing of INEC's asset
but such a judge would be playing a dangerous game given Nigeria's political reality.

And the orders may be unenforceable.

Jennyclay fit d pray make INEC driver jam her papa for Edo

Them go pay?

The late Mr. Madu is married to a Chinese wife, no wonder the compensation is in billion, becos a Nigerian's life is actually not worth much.

That’s too much.

INEC must be held accountable for damaging lives in Nigeria through rigging of elections from local to federal and now causing death by accident without showing remorse to the families of the deceased

Useless eye neck.

Na to begin to cease voting material be that o. INEC won't pay shishi.

H

Didn’t even show up in court. A supposedly independent outfit tasked with its free and fair elections.

Editorialtimes:
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to pay ₦1.12 billion in compensation to the family of Mike Madu, who was killed in an accident caused by an INEC driver in Imo State.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Inyang Ekwo directed INEC to pay the ₦1.12 billion with a 10% interest per annum from the date of judgment until full payment is made.

Additionally, the court mandated INEC, its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and other defendants to send a formal condolence letter to the deceased’s family.



Legal Battle Against INEC

The lawsuit was filed by Augustine Madu on behalf of the Umudurugwu, Umuokwe, Awo-Omamma community in Oru-East Local Government Area of Imo State.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1074/2019, named INEC, its Chairman, the INEC Commissioner in Abuja, and an INEC escort driver, Hassan Abdul, as first to fourth defendants.

Augustine sought ₦1.12 billion in compensation for what he described as the unlawful termination of his brother’s life.

Fatal Accident in Kogi State

According to court records, Mike Madu, a successful businessman, was killed in a road accident on June 16, 2019, while escorting Chinese investors exploring business opportunities in Nigeria.

The accident occurred along the Itobe-Anyigba Expressway in Kogi State when their Lexus car, driven by Ega Chukwudi of Auto Star Transport Company, collided with a Toyota V8 Land Cruiser driven by Hassan Abdul, an INEC driver.

Abdul, who was traveling with a police escort, Sgt. Usman Abdullahi, lost control of his vehicle, swerved into the opposite lane, and crashed head-on into the Lexus.

The Land Cruiser somersaulted into a bush and caught fire, while the Lexus sustained heavy damage.

Mike Madu and one of the Chinese investors, Huang Hia Yan, died instantly.

Investigations and Court Rulings

A police report dated July 16, 2019, confirmed that reckless speeding by Hassan Abdul caused the accident.

Following the accident, a post-mortem examination was conducted at the order of the Kogi State Chief Magistrate Court, after which the deceased were buried.

Augustine Madu lamented that INEC showed no concern or remorse for his brother’s death, despite his role as the breadwinner of his family.



During the trial, the plaintiff presented two witnesses, including a Nigerian police officer, Josephine Emumwen.

Despite being given an opportunity, INEC and its representatives failed to appear in court, leading Justice Ekwo to rule in favour of the plaintiff.

The ruling has sparked discussions on institutional accountability and the need for government agencies to be held responsible for their employees' actions.

Source: The Bureau Newspaper

The court has ordered INEC to pay ₦1.12 billion to the family of Mike Madu, but the big question is whether they will actually follow through. Given the lack of remorse shown by INEC, a search warrant and public notice should’ve been issued to ensure the payment is made. It’s about holding them accountable, not just a legal ruling.