Ladipo extra judicial killings: Court fixes March 5 for judgment in suit against police
A Lagos High Court sitting in Yaba will on March 5, 2023, deliver judgment in a fundamental suit filed against the Inspector General of Police and a former Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Marvelous Akpoyibo (retd), over alleged killing of four youths from Ekwulobia, Anambra State on July 21, 2001, in Lagos
Justice Olufunke Sule-Amzat fixed the date, after hearing arguments and submissions from counsel in the suit marked: No LD/354/MFHR/2014, filed by Mr. Akaraka Chinwe Ezeonara, Chris Okpara; Remigus Ezenwane and Ifeanyi Okoye.
Ezeonara, a human rights activist filed the suit for an order of enforcement of fundamental rights of the four youths, Anthony Ezenwafor, Chukwuemeka Ezeofor, Izuchukwu Ezeama, and Aloysius Osigwe, who were traders at Ladipo International Auto Spare parts market before they were allegedly extra-judicially killed by the police attached to Surulere Division.
Aside AIG Akpoyibo, other respondents in the suit were the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Attorney-General of Lagos State, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and Divisional Police Officer, Aguda, named as first to sixth respondents respectively.
At the last adjourned date, counsel to the Lagos State Attorney General, Mr. Adewale Russell informed the court that the 3rd respondent had filed and submitted a counter affidavit in opposition to the applicant’s originating summon, arguing that the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is yet to receive a case file from the police in respect of the case.
Russell in a 13-paragraph affidavit filed before the court, submitted that it is the duty and responsibility of police to investigate serious allegation, such as murder allegedly committed by their officers.
“It is upon a thorough investigation that the duplicate of the case file would be forwarded to the office of 3rd respondent,” he said.
The counsel urged the court to dismiss the case against the 3rd respondent.
Also, counsel to the applicant, Ms. Modupe Omo-Ekpadi from Falana and Falana Chambers, informed the court that all other respondents have been served the hearing notice, but they failed to appear before the court.
The court had adjourned severally at the instance of other respondents to file defence in the suit after being duly served with the court processes and hearing notices.
After listening to both counsel, Justice Sule-Amzat fixed March 5,2023, to deliver judgment in the suit.
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