Lucky Okodeh, the former caretaker chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, has filed a two- billion naira billion lawsuit against the Nigerian Army.
Okodeh is challenging the military for wrongly including his photograph on a wanted list following the killing of 17 soldiers in Delta State.
The suit, lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja, names the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Chief of Army Staff (CAS) as the first and second respondents respectively.
Represented by renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, Okodeh is seeking N2 billion in damages for the alleged infringement on his rights to personal liberty and dignity.
The controversy stems from a tragic incident on March 14, when 17 Nigerian soldiers were killed during a military operation in the Okuama community of Delta State.
The fallen soldiers were honoured with a burial at the military cemetery in Abuja and posthumous national awards conferred by President Tinubu.
The president also extended scholarships to the children of the deceased officers.
In a bid to bring the perpetrators to justice, the Defence Headquarters subsequently declared eight individuals wanted in connection with the killings.
The list included prominent names such as Professor Ekpekpo Arthur of Delta State University and several others.
However, controversy erupted when Okodeh’s photograph was mistakenly included under the name “Akevwru Daniel Omotegbono.”
In his suit, Okodeh is demanding a perpetual injunction to prevent his arrest and an official apology from the respondents, to be published across print and electronic media.
The case, scheduled for its initial hearing on Monday before Judge Binta Nyako, was postponed due to the judge’s absence.
Both Falana and the counsel for the respondents, Mike Ebah, were present in court.
The case is now set for mention on October 17.
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