₦airaland Forum

BREAKING!!!! Court Awards 22 Million Naira To Ebonyi Lawyer After He Received Slaps From Correctional Officers (Photos)

By Wisdom Nwedene, Abakaliki

After one year of legal battle, a Federal High Court has delivered a landmark judgment in favour of legal practitioner, Sampson Imeze Ekigbo, awarding him ₦22 million in damages and costs against the Nigerian Correctional Service and four other respondents.

The judgment, delivered on Thursday by Justice Hillary Oshomah in suit number FHC/AI/FHR/11/2025, arose from a fundamental rights enforcement action filed by Ekigbo on January 30, 2025.

Ekigbo was brutally assaulted on November 26, 2024, at Harriz Filling Station, Abakaliki, by two officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service, identified as Mr. Ifeanyi Nwovu and Mr. Ogwuma Chidi.

The lawyer, who also serves as a presiding officer in the Customary Court, sued the Service, its Comptroller General, the Comptroller in charge of Ebonyi Command, and the two officers involved.

In his ruling, Justice Oshomah held that the beating amounted to a gross violation of Ekigbo’s fundamental human rights, particularly his right to dignity of person as guaranteed under Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“The beating of the applicant, who is a presiding officer of a Customary Court and legal practitioner, at Harriz Filling Station, Abakaliki, on November 26, 2024, without just cause by the 4th and 5th respondents, who were acting for the 1st to 3rd respondents, is a gross violation of his fundamental human rights to dignity of person, contrary to Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution,” the judge declared.

The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from torturing, intimidating, or molesting the applicant without lawful cause.

The judge ordered the respondents to tender an unreserved apology to Ekigbo, to be published in two national newspapers within 14 days.

Justice Oshomah awarded ₦20 million as compensation for the assault and the pain suffered by the applicant. An additional ₦2 million was awarded to cover costs and expenses incurred in prosecuting the case.

“₦20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) is hereby awarded against the respondents jointly and severally as compensation for the pains and torture meted on the applicant.

“₦2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) is further awarded for costs and expenses incidental to this action,” the judge ruled.”

The court imposed a 10% per annum post-judgment interest on the cumulative sum should the respondents fail to pay within 14 days.

Neither the applicant nor the respondents were physically present during the judgment. Their lawyers—C.C. Aliugo for the applicant and Samuel Nwalieze for the respondents—were in court.

Mr. Aliugo described the ruling as a bold step in reinforcing the sanctity of fundamental human rights and sending a strong signal against abuse of power by security agencies.

Speaking in an interview on Friday, Ekigbo expressed relief at the judgment, recalling the incident that left him hospitalized.

He explained that the assault occurred after a tricycle rammed into his vehicle at Harriz Filling Station, Abakaliki, where he had gone for repairs. Despite identifying himself as a judicial officer, he was slapped, dragged, and threatened with a firearm by the two officers.

The attack left him with a severe ear injury. He noted that efforts by him, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and civil society groups to seek redress from the authorities were ignored, prompting his court action.

“I followed the path of peace, but they neglected every intervention. The judgment today is justice. I will ensure it is enforced to the letter,” Ekigbo said.

He stressed that the victory was not only personal but also a step toward upholding the dignity of judicial officers and protecting citizens’ rights.

Source : https://9newsng.com/breaking-court-awards-22-million-naira-to-ebonyi-lawyer-after-he-received-slaps-from-correctional-officers-photos/


Last year Post 👇👇https://www.nairaland.com/8279188/waste-nothing-happen-armed-prison


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVxdR-wyDmo

This is a watershed ruling but will the rogue officers comply with the judgement?

Excellent


Not enough original content
Please take a moment to write a quality post with at least 40 characters.
This will make the forum more interesting for everyone.

... Vrey good, this is making me happy. I hope they pay him but he ensure to be on their neck till they pay it,

badaru911:
... Vrey good, this is making me happy. I hope they pay him but he ensure to be on their neck till they pay it,

You don't tell a lawyer how to collect his money

Wow to those semi illiterates hiding in government uniforms to assault innocent citizens.

This should serve as deterrence for badly behaved officers, and courage to the people to stand for their rights.

Nigerian police force is a reflection of the rot endemic in the entire Nigerian system

Rugged you. This is interesting. Very interesting

omo the 2 offending officers go hear am for dem oga hand o😁 Dem fit cut their salaries sef

This is a symbolical judgement, we know they won't pay Shi Shi.

3seriez:
This is a symbolical judgement, we know they won't pay Shi Shi.

Not when it has to do with a lawyer 🤣🤣🤣. Wait and see the outcome

You hardly hear of police officers brutality in the North.

YouAreNobody:
Nigerian police force is a reflection of the rot endemic in the entire Nigerian system

Ah .. you no read the article at all..

Abi u just dey vex for olokpa

Will the Correctional Office do the correct thing now by swiftly and correctly correcting their error and pay the lawyer the correct award correctly given to him by the correct court of justice?

U go waite for 22m u go tire nor be Nigeria way I know dead on arrival

GanagiBitrus:
You hardly hear of police brutality in the North.

Not police hoooo
Vjjjkkjjbbjkllkllkkkknnnnn

We all know the next question. Will they ever comply to the ruling?

Our judiciary system is one of the best in the world.

God bless His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for overhauling the system.

Many would not mind receiving slaps for ₦22m.




Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Orlandoo:
This is a watershed ruling but will the rogue officers comply with the judgement?

Definitely not, he's not getting a dime from anyone.

It's hard to enforce judgement against law enforcement agencies in Nigeria

Na this kind of scenerio you go see Nigeria courts giving satisfactory judgement but when it comes to APC and PDP or LP cases, na another tin entirely

Orlandoo:
This is a watershed ruling but will the rogue officers comply with the judgement?

Exactly 💯 what I was going to type
When is the deadline for the payment

Let us see them comply first before we start jubilating

chicfarmer:
omo the 2 offending officers go hear am for dem oga hand o😁 Dem fit cut their salaries sef

You know the matters Wella, they will never enjoy that job again that's if it doesn't lead to their dismissal 🤷🏿

He won't receive the money. It's just a judgment on paper

Now this is a lawyer, can somebody point to one achievement of ezenwo nyesom wike as a judiciary officer?

That #22 million naira na serious family begging because those guys can not pay shishi

Na to wait for the interest to plenty then use a garnishee order to collect the money.

tukdi:
Excellent


Not enough original content
Please take a moment to write a quality post with at least 40 characters.
This will make the forum more interesting for everyone.

only car making nuiz i do not undastant hmmmmmmmmmmmm

Good for them,those officers will be dismissed for causing the command #22m for a dusty slap. ;DI hereby called it SLAP that raises dust.