In a Fundamental Right Suit filed by LF Partners, on behalf of Mrs. Sefiya Charles Enos, who is an indigene of Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos awarded damages in the sum of 100 Million Naira against the Nigerian Army. Mrs Enos had commenced the Suit over the death of her son, Mr. Hassan Charles, a civilian, who died in the custody of the Nigerian Army. The Nigerian Army had on 28 September 2016 illegally detained Late Mr. Hassan Charles at the Ojo Military Cantonment in Lagos, and he was not seen or heard from until 03 October 2016 when news of his demise filtered around the barrack. Til date, the Nigerian Army is yet to explain convincingly what led to his death or hand over his cadaver to his family for proper burial. Before his demise, Late Mr. Hassan Charles was a carpenter who was relatively popular and loved within Ojo cantonment where a majority of his customers resided.
A Fundamental Right enforcement suit was commenced b the Law Firm of LF Partners, on behalf of Mrs. Sefiya Enos at the Federal High Court, Lagos Division against the Nigerian Army and after a protracted contest, Judgment in the sum of N100,000,000 was awarded in favour of Mrs. Enos on 18 January 2018.
The Nigerian Army has since appealed against the judgment.
Ndubuisi Ogbonnaya
Lagos, 16 May 2019.