Daud Olatunji
Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Funmi Falana SAN, has filed a lawsuit against Oba Semiu Adewale Ogunjobi, the Olorile of Orile Ifo, Ogun State, demanding N200 million in damages on behalf of Elder Areola Abraham Love JP.
The lawsuit, brought before the High Court of Ogun State in Ota, seeks to enforce the fundamental rights of Elder Love to dignity of his person, freedom of movement, and right to life.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights had solicited help from Falana over the assault after it took over the case to ensure justice for the sl73-year old man who was assaulted .
According to the originating notice of motion dated March 7, 2025, Elder Areola Abraham Love JP alleges that on January 21, 2025, he was subjected to brutal treatment by Oba Semiu Adewale Ogunjobi and his agents at Orile Ifo, Ifo, Ogun State.
The incident, witnessed by a crowd, reportedly involved physical assaults including beatings, slapping, and verbal abuse directed at the septuagenarian, thereby violating his constitutional rights as guaranteed under Section 33, 34, 35, 36, and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.
In his affidavit, Elder Love detailed the ordeal where he was allegedly forced to kneel and prostrate before the Oba and his agents, an act he claims was degrading and inhumane.
He further asserted that the Respondent’s actions obstructed his freedom of movement and threatened his right to reside peacefully in the community.
Funmi Falana, representing the Applicant, emphasized the egregious nature of the assault, labeling it a clear violation of human rights laws both domestically and internationally.
The lawsuit seeks not only financial compensation but also demands a public apology to be published in major newspapers including The Punch, Vanguard, and Nigerian Tribune.
“The systematic beatings, kicking, and striking of the Applicant by the Respondent and his agents before a crowd of people at Orile Ifo, Ifo, Ogun State on January 21, 2025, constitute a threat to the life of the Applicant and thereby violated his fundamental right to life.”
“The slapping and punching of the head of the Applicant by the Respondent and his agents before a crowd of people at Orile Ifo, Ifo, Ogun State on January 21, 2025, constitute a cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.
“The Respondent’s decision to subject the Applicant to kneel down and prostrate on the ground at Orile Ifo, Ogun State before a crowd of people on January 21, 2025, constitute a violation of the fundamental right of the Applicant to dignity of his person.
“The Respondent’s decision to subject the Applicant to physical harm, violence, threat, and intimidation before a crowd of people at Orile Ifo, Ifo, Ogun State on January 21, 2025, constitute a violation of the fundamental right of the Applicant to dignity of his person.
“The decision of the Respondent to stop the Applicant and prevent him from moving freely at Orile Ifo, Ifo, Ogun State on January 21, 2025, constitute a violation of the fundamental right of the Applicant to freedom of movement.
“The threat of the Respondent to expel the Applicant from Orile Ifo community in Ogun State is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates the Applicant’s fundamental right to reside in any part of Nigeria.
“On the 21st of January, 2025, the Applicant was walking on a street at Orile Ifo, Ifo, Ogun State in exercise of his freedom of movement when he was interrupted by a vehicle belonging to the Respondent.”
“The Respondent exited the vehicle in company of his agents and subjected the Applicant to physical attack by slapping him repeatedly on the face in violation of his fundamental right to dignity.
“By subjecting the Applicant to punching and severe beating, the Respondent and his agents overpowered him and threatened to kill him and thereby violated his fundamental right to life.
“The Respondent also uttered derogatory and abusive language, directing unprintable insults and epithets towards the Applicant without caution before a crowd of people at Orile Ifo, Ifo, Ogun State.
“An order directing the Respondent to pay the sum of N200,000,000.00 (two hundred million Naira) to the Applicant for the violation of his fundamental rights to life, dignity, and freedom of movement.
“An order directing the Respondent to publish an apology to the Applicant in the Punch, Vanguard, and Nigerian Tribune Newspapers.”
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