Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that INEC must pay the compensation with a 10% annual interest from the date of judgment until full payment is made.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to pay N1.12 billion in compensation to the family of Mike Madu, a businessman killed by an INEC driver in Imo State.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that INEC must pay the compensation with a 10% annual interest from the date of judgment until full payment is made.
The judge also ordered INEC, its Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, and other defendants to issue a formal letter of condolence to Madu’s family.
“An order is hereby made for the defendants to pay the cost of prosecuting this action. This shall be the judgment of this court,” Justice Ekwo declared.
The suit, filed by Augustine Madu on behalf of the Umudurugwu, Umuokwe, Awo-Omamma community in Oru-East Local Government Area of Imo State, sought N1.12 billion as compensation for the unlawful death of his brother.
Court records show that the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1074/2019, listed INEC, its Chairman, the INEC Commissioner in Abuja, and an INEC escort driver, Hassan Abdul, as defendants.
Augustine Madu described his late brother, Mike Madu, as a successful businessman born on June 9, 1970, in Awo-Omamma, Imo State.
Augustine accused Abdul, a staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and a driver in the office of the national commissioner, of causing the fatal accident that claimed his brother Mike’s life on June 16, 2019.
On September 10, 2019, Mike’s family decided to take legal action against those responsible.
According to Augustine, his brother frequently travelled between China and Nigeria, often accompanying Chinese investors to explore business opportunities.
On one such trip, Mike was escorting two Chinese investors to assess potential investments in the Enugu State Free Trade Zone.
Tragedy struck on the Itobe-Anyigba Expressway in Kogi State when their Lexus, driven by Ega Chukwudi of Auto Star Transport Company, collided head-on with a Toyota V8 Land Cruiser Jeep.
The Land Cruiser, driven by Hassan Abdul, had a police escort, Sgt. Usman Abdullahi, on board. Reports indicated that Abdul lost control, veered into the opposite lane, and crashed into the Lexus.
The impact sent the Land Cruiser somersaulting into a bush, where it caught fire, while the Lexus suffered extensive damage.
Mike sustained severe injuries and died along with one of the Chinese investors, Huang Hia Yan. Emergency responders transported the victims to Holley Memorial Hospital in Ochadamu Village, but the deceased were later moved to the Kogi State Specialist Hospital Mortuary.
The second Chinese investor, Qu Xin Dong, was admitted to Holley Memorial Hospital, while Chukwudi, the Lexus driver, was taken to Enugu State Orthopaedic Hospital.
Abdul and his police escort were also treated at Holley Memorial Hospital.
A police report dated July 16, 2019, concluded that Abdul’s reckless speeding caused the accident. On July 10, 2019, the Kogi State Chief Magistrate Court ordered a post-mortem examination of the deceased.
Augustine later obtained a warrant to bury his brother and the deceased investor.
Expressing his frustration, Augustine criticized INEC and its officials for their lack of concern or remorse over his brother’s death.
He described Mike as the primary provider for his family, including his Chinese wife, Xiaojuan Li, and their son.
He lamented that Mike’s untimely death had left his family devastated, especially his wife and child in China, and that INEC had refused to offer any compensation.
During the trial, Augustine presented two witnesses, including Josephine Emumwen, an officer with the Nigeria Police Force in Kogi State.
He testified as the first witness, adopting his written statement on June 14, 2023. Although he was recalled for cross-examination on November 16, 2023, the defendants failed to appear in court.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo upheld the plaintiff’s claims and awarded compensation to Mike’s family.
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