Court awards N100m against Police over murder of 22-year-old in Calabar

By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar on Thursday awarded N100 million damages against the Nigeria Police Force and four others over the murder of a 22-year-old, Onyekachi Mba, by police attached to the Cross River State Government House.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu gave the ruling in an originating motion on the enforcement of fundamental human rights, filed on October 10, 2025, by the applicant’s counsel, Chief Roland Nbubuka.

The court ruled against the Police, and four other respondents joined in the motion filed on October 10, 2025.

The reliefs sought by the motion are that, by sections 35, 36, 37, and 41 of the 1999 Constitution, a person is entitled to the right to dignity of human person, right to personal liberty, and right to life.

For the court to decide if the applicant was not subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment and murder in a manner that is inconsistent with his right to dignity, liberty, and right to life.

Finally, that by section 46 of the 1999 Constitution, a breach of any of the guaranteed fundamental rights entitled him to damages against breach, and an order of reversal of the breach and, where appropriate, commensurate damages.

In her ruling, Justice Ojukwu averred that the torture, assault and murder of Onyekachi Mba committed by the police security guards at the residence of Gov. Bassey Otu on August 1, 2025, is unlawful, unwarranted, flagrant abuse and executive recklessness against the deceased.

The court subsequently awarded N100 million damages against the Police and other respondents.

It pronounced that the amount could be paid jointly or severally by the respondents.

Joined as respondents in the matter are ASP Victor Edet, Police Service Commission, Cross River Commissioner of Police, and SP Emmanuel Dickson (Chief Security Officer, Government House, Calabar).

It would be recalled that the deceased was beaten and shot at the residence of the Cross River Governor by the Police security guards on August 1, 2025.

He was pronounced dead a few days later at the Naval Reference Hospital in Calabar as a result of injuries sustained from the beating and gunshot.

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