The Federal High Court in Abakaliki has awarded ₦22 million in damages against the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) for the brutal assault of a legal practitioner and customary court president, Barrister Sampson Imeze Ekigbo.
Justice Hillary Oshomah, who delivered judgment on Thursday in suit number FHC/AI/FHR/11/2025, described the conduct of the NCS officers as a gross violation of the applicant’s fundamental human rights, particularly his right to dignity of person as guaranteed under Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Ekigbo was assaulted on November 26, 2024, at Harriz Filling Station, Abakaliki, by two correctional officers, Ifeanyi Nwovu and Ogwuma Chidi, while on official assignment.
The court ordered the respondents – the Nigerian Correctional Service, its Comptroller-General, the Comptroller of Corrections, Ebonyi State Command, and the two officers – to jointly and severally pay ₦20 million as compensation for the assault and ₦2 million as cost of litigation.
The court also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further harassing, torturing, or intimidating the applicant without lawful justification.
In addition, the NCS was ordered to tender an unreserved apology to the lawyer, to be published in two national dailies within 14 days.
Justice Oshomah ruled:“The beating of the applicant, who is a presiding officer of a customary court and a legal practitioner, without just cause by the 4th and 5th respondents who were acting under the 1st to 3rd respondents, amounts to a gross violation of his fundamental rights to dignity of person.”
The enrolled order, signed by court registrar Adeyanju A.E., further directed that a 10 percent post-judgment interest per annum be imposed on the award if the respondents fail to pay within 14 days.
Reacting to the judgment, Ekigbo expressed relief, recalling that the incident occurred after a tricycle rider rammed into his vehicle at the filling station.
“I chose the path of peace, but they ignored every intervention. Today’s judgment is justice served. I will ensure it is enforced to the letter,” he said.
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