Court Awards N100 Million Damages for Unlawful Killing
A Federal High Court in Calabar has ordered the Nigeria Police Force and other respondents to pay N100 million in damages for the torture and killing of 22-year-old Onyekachi Mba. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu delivered the judgment on Thursday in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the deceased's mother, Victoria Mba, through her counsel, Roland Ndubuka.
Details of the Incident
Mr Mba was beaten and shot by police security personnel at the Government House, Calabar, Cross River State, on 1 August 2025. The incident occurred in front of the governor's residence after Mr Mba insisted on seeing Governor Bassey Otu to deliver what he described as a message from God. He later died at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Calabar, from injuries sustained during the assault and shooting.
Legal Proceedings
The suit was filed on 10 October 2025, seeking enforcement of the deceased's fundamental rights under Sections 35, 36, 37, and 41 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended). These include the rights to personal liberty, dignity of the human person, and freedom of movement. The applicant asked the court to determine whether the torture, inhuman treatment, and eventual killing violated Mr Mba's constitutionally guaranteed rights and to award appropriate compensation.
Court's Ruling
In her judgment, Justice Ojukwu held that the torture, assault, and killing by a police personnel attached to the residence of the Cross River State Governor were unlawful, unwarranted, and constituted a flagrant violation of his fundamental rights. The court described the officers' actions as an 'abuse of power and executive recklessness.' Consequently, it awarded N100 million in damages, payable jointly or severally by the respondents.
Respondents Named
The respondents in the suit were the Nigeria Police Force, Assistant Superintendent of Police Victor Edet, the Police Service Commission, the Commissioner of Police in Cross River, and Superintendent of Police Emmanuel Dickson, the chief security officer at the Government House, Calabar.
