A Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi, has awarded the sum of N800 million against the Nigerian Army and 10 others over the brutal murder of Sixtus Terfa Akure.
Sixtus Akure was a Senior Inspector of taxes attached to the Benue State Board of Internal Revenue, BIRS, Gazetted Inspection Point near the “C” Division Police Station, in the North Bank area of Makurdi, and was found dead by the roadside near Aper Aku Estate in North Bank, Makurdi, a day after he was reportedly abducted from his duty post on Saturday January 15, 2022 and whisked away by men of the Nigerian Army.
On March 19th, 2022, a Corona Inquest Into the gruesome murder of Sixtus Akure commenced at the Chief Magistrate Court 1, Makurdi, with the late Mike Utsaha and Desmond Tor Wendeh as counsels to the BIRS.
The Corona Inquest found the Nigerian Army culpable in the death of Sixtus Akure.
The BIRS which was then under the leadeship of Mimi Adzape-Orubibi briefed a seasoned lawyer, Desmond Tor Wendeh, who filed a suit on behalf of the family of Akure.
The Nigerian Army, Nigerian Army Council, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff, Commanding Officer, 72 Special Forces,Makurdi, Captain Osita Obe(then adjutant of 72 Special Forces) and the five soldiers who were identified as culprits were joined as defendants in the suit.
MUST READ:How 16-year-old Uzairu got his two eyes removed
The Nigerian Army through their counsel, Isah Shaibu, filed their response to the suit.
In a well-considered judgment delivered by the trial Judge, Justice Theresa Shija, dismissed the preliminary objection raised by the counsel to the defendants and determined the case on its merit.
Justice Shija awarded judgment in favour of wife of the deceased BIRS staff, Catherine Akure.
Justice Shija ordered the Nigerian Army and all the respondents to pay the sum of N800 million to Catherine Akure for violating the fundamental right to life of her husband.
The Court further ordered the BIRS to immediately give a permanent and pensionable appointment to Catherine Akure, whose husband was gruesomely murdered by men of the Nigerian Army at his duty post in North Bank, Makurdi.
BIRS Chairman, Mimi Orubibi had given Catherine Akure a casual apointment as a BIRS staff upon the death of her husband.
Reacting to the judgment, Akure appreciated the judiciary for being the last hope of the common man.
She commended the immediate past chairman of the BIRS, Mimi Adzape-Orubibi for standing by her and the family throughout their trying time and described her as a mother.
She also commended her lawyer, Desmond Wendeh for his legal services and support and disclosed that the money awarded to her by the court will be used in catering for her children and the surviving mother of her husband.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
