Ladipo traders re-open N4bn suit against police

The youth of the popular Ladipo International Market in Lagos, under the auspices of Ekwulobia Imeobi Youths Association, on Wednesday re-opened its case against the Nigerian Police over the alleged extra-judicial killing of four of its members in 2001.

The youth group had in 2001 taken the police before a Lagos State High Court in Igbosere demanding N4bn as cost of damages for the allegedl killing.

It was alleged that policemen from the Aguda Police Station in Surulere were responsible for the extra-judicial killing.

The slain persons were named as Anthony Ezenwafor, Chukwuemika Ezeofor, Izuchukwu Ezeama and Alloysius Osigwe.

The deceased were said to be traders under one Mr. Jude Okoli, a businessman at the market.

According to the complainants, the policemen attacked and killed the four men on July 21, 2001 in their apartment on Olaitan Street, Surulere, Lagos.

At the hearing on Wednesday, counsel for the traders, Mr. Abiola Akerele, informed Justice Oyindamola Ogala that though the Aguda Police Station had been served with the prosecution’s processes since 2001, they had yet to reply.

The defence counsel, Mr. Jonathan Ogunsanya, however begged for more time to regularise the position of the defence.

Justice Ogala subsequently adjourned till October 23, 2014 for further hearing.

Members of the Ekwulobia Imeobi Youths Association are seeking a declaration of the court that the killing of its members by police officers was unconstitutional, extra-judicial, illegal and an infringement on their right to life, liberty and dignity.

They prayed the court to award a sum of N4bn as damages and compensation to the families of the four victims for the unjust and illegal termination of their lives.

PUNCH