A Federal High Court has delivered a landmark ruling in favour of legal practitioner and Customary Court presiding officer, Sampson Imeze Ekigbo, awarding him ₦22 million in damages and costs against the Nigerian Correctional Service and four others after a year-long legal battle.
Justice Hillary Oshomah, presiding over suit number FHC/AI/FHR/11/2025, handed down the judgment on Thursday. The case stemmed from a fundamental rights enforcement action filed on January 30, 2025, following Ekigbo’s brutal assault by two correctional officers at Harriz Filling Station, Abakaliki, on November 26, 2024.
The officers, identified as Ifeanyi Nwovu and Ogwuma Chidi, allegedly slapped, dragged, and threatened Ekigbo with a firearm after a tricycle rammed into his vehicle. Despite identifying himself as a judicial officer, he was left with a severe ear injury and hospitalised. Efforts by him, the Nigerian Bar Association, and civil society groups to seek redress were ignored, prompting the lawsuit.
Justice Oshomah ruled that the assault amounted to a gross violation of Ekigbo’s fundamental rights, particularly his right to dignity of person under Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The court ordered the respondents—which included the Service, its Comptroller General, the Comptroller in charge of Ebonyi Command, and the two officers—to jointly pay ₦20 million as compensation for the assault and an additional ₦2 million for legal costs.
The judge also imposed 10% annual post-judgment interest on the award if not paid within 14 days, alongside a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further acts of torture, intimidation, or molestation. They must also tender an unreserved apology to Ekigbo in two national newspapers within 14 days.
Neither party was physically present during the ruling, though their lawyers, C.C. Aliugo for the applicant and Samuel Nwalieze for the respondents, represented them in court. Aliugo described the verdict as a bold reinforcement of fundamental rights and a warning against abuse of power by security agencies.
Reacting the following day, Ekigbo welcomed the judgment as justice long delayed. “I followed the path of peace, but they neglected every intervention. The judgment today is justice. I will ensure it is enforced to the letter,” he said. He added that the ruling was not just a personal victory but also a step towards upholding the dignity of judicial officers and protecting citizens’ rights.
