Edo State Deputy Governor’s Wife To Pay N12m To Assaulted Soldier!

Justice was served yesterday when a Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State, ordered the wife of the state Deputy Governor, Deconess Endurance Odubu, to pay the sum of N12m as damages to Captain Stephen Olorunduyilemi, of the Nigerian Army.

Olorunduyilemi, was allegedly beaten up and detained by security operatives attached to Mrs. Odubu on January 2010, in a suit by his counsel, Clement Dike, sought N502m as collateral damages in addition to publication of "unreserved apology to be carried in five national daily newspapers and three electronic media for the beating received from the security operatives."

However, Justice Adamu Hobon, who delivered judgment in the suit No FHC/B/CS/226/2010, ordered Mrs. Odubu to tender an apology to the army officer attached to the 4th Brigade, Benin in three electronic media and two national dailies.

Hobon in the judgment explained that the use of siren was for emergency by fire fighters and to clear road for top government officials, adding that the wife of a deputy governor was a private person and not entitled to heavy security guards and the use of siren.

Hobon described the beating as unlawful and awarded N2m as special damages for medical bills and damage to the soldiers car and N10m for general damages, infringement on fundamental human rights and illegal detention of Stephen.