A Federal High Court, sitting in Akure on Monday, ordered the Inspector-General of Police to pay N7.9 million to Mrs. Queen Akarewan, widow of Christopher, who was shot and killed by a police team in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State on Oct. 11, 2011.
The two policemen, John Aghaulor and Igodi Gbefamoghan, had already been dismissed by the Nigeria Police. Justice Abdu Dogo, in his judgment, held that the victim’s life was unlawfully terminated contrary to Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution.
According to him, the section of the constitution allows anybody who has an interest in the existence of a person whose life is taken unlawfully to take redress in the court of jurisdiction.
The lawyer said the judge ordered the police to pay the sum of N7.9m within 30 days from the day of judgment to the plaintiff, Queen Akarewan for the unlawful killing of her husband.
“We perceive a deliberate unwillingness on the part of the police authorities to comply with the judgment and feel, therefore, that if this judgment is not complied with now, we are then left with no option than to return to court for the lawful execution of the judgment.
“Since Oct. 13, 2011, that the plaintiff’s husband, Christopher Akarewan, was shot dead by the police officers for refusing to part with N50 bribe demanded at a checkpoint in Okitipupa, Ondo State, the family has been bereaved of their breadwinner.
@NAN
