An Abakaliki Division of the Federal High Court has awarded a total of ₦22million in favour of a legal practitioner, Sampson Imeze Ekigbo, against the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) for human rights violations.
The Court in a judgment, delivered by Honourable Justice Hillary Oshomah, on Thursday in suit number FHC/AI/FHR/11/2025, arose from a fundamental rights enforcement action filed by Mr. Ekigbo on January 30, 2025.
The applicant (Sampson Imeze Ekigbo) was brutally assaulted on November 26, 2024, at Harriz Filling Station, Abakaliki, by two men identified as Mr. Ifeanyi Nwovu and Mr. Ogwuma Chidi, who are officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Delivering judgement in the application, Justice Oshomah held that the beating amounted to a gross violation of the applicant’s fundamental human rights, particularly his right to dignity of person as enshrined 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 the 26th day of November, 2024 without just cause by the 4th and 5th Respondents who were working for the 1st to 3rd Respondents, is a gross violation of the Fundamental Human Rights of the Applicant to dignity of his person,” the judge stated.
The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further torturing, intimidating, or molesting the applicant without lawful cause.
Additionally, the respondents were ordered to tender an unreserved apology to the applicant, to be published in two national dailies within 14 days.
The suit judgement which SaharaReporters obtained its Certified True Copy on Friday, is between: Barr. Sampson Imeze Ekigbo as Applicant; And the Nigerian Correctional Service; Comptroller General, Nigeria Correctional Service; Comptroller of Corrections, Ebonyi State Command; Mr. Ifeanyi Nwovu and Mr. Ogwuma Chidi as 1st to 5th Respondents.
The enrolled order signed by Adeyanju, A. E., Sen. Reg. II partly read: “That the beating of the Applicant who is presiding officer of customary court and legal practitioner at Harriz Filling Station, Abakaliki on the 26thday of November, 2024 without just cause by the 4th and 5th Respondents who were working for the 1st to 3rd Respondents, is a gross violation of the Fundamental Human Rights of the Applicant to dignity of his person contrary to Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“An Order of Perpetual Injunction be and is hereby granted by this Honourable Court restraining the Respondents or anyone acting through them from torturing, molesting and/or intimidating the Applicant without committing any known wrong or offence or without a justifiable reason.
“That the Respondents are by Order of this Honourable Court mandated to tender an unreserved apology to the Applicant and same to be published in Two National Dailies within 14 days of this Judgment.
“That N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) only is hereby assessed and awarded against the Respondents jointly and severally as compensation for the pains and torture that was meted on the Applicant by the 4th and 5th Respondents on 26th November, 2024.
“Cost and expenses incidental to the institution and prosecution of this action is by order of this Honourable Court assessed to be N2, 000, 000.00 (Two Million Naira) in favour of the Applicant against the Respondents jointly and severally.
“Post judgment interest at the rate of 10% per annum on the entire cumulative Judgment sum is hereby awarded, to commence running if after 14 days from this Judgment the judgment sum is not finally and fully liquidated by the Respondents.”
Reacting to the judgement the applicant, Mr. Ekigbo, expressed relief, recounting his ordeal, noting that the incident occurred on November 24, 2024, after a tricycle rammed into his vehicle at Harriz Filling Station Abakaliki.
“I followed the path of peace, but they neglected every intervention. The judgment today is justice. I will ensure the judgment is enforced to the letter,” Ekigbo stated.
