In a demonstration of the time honoured aphorism that “The will of justice grinds slowly but surely”, the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City has awarded high cost of financial damages against the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and its officer, Mr. Chickson Iregbeghen, who humiliated, dehumanized and brutalized Comrade Erasmus Ikhide in 2015 at his polling unit at his home town of Eruere, Owan West, Edo State of Nigeria.
In the application of enforcement of Fundamental Human Rights argued by Benin based lawyer and human rights activist, Douglas Ogbankwa Esq, the presiding judge, Hon. Justice (Prof) A. Chuka Obiozor, sitting at the Federal High Court, No. 2, Benin, in his judgment which was delivered on Tuesday, the 6th of June, 2023 reprimanded the NSCDC and its agent, Mr Chickson Iregbeghen, over arrogance of power and extreme barbarity for dehumanizing and debasing a law abiding citizen and for violating his human sanctity as well as trampling on his fundamental human rights.
In 2015, Comrade Erasmus Ikhide instituted a case of fundamental human rights over abuse of his rights against the NSCDC and it’s agent, whom the court pronounced over stepped their bounds in attacking the applicant on the election day.
Addressing the press after the judgment, Comrade Erasmus Ikhide said however how long it takes, justice has been serviced in the matter.
“I am glad that justice has been serviced in this case in the long run after eight gruelling years of judicial stagnation and paralysis. But thanks to Hon. Justice (Prof) A. Chuka Obiozor who trashed this case under three days, spending several hours each sitting, an indication of a Judge who knows his onions by looking at the case with the judicial imaginary scale of Justice.
“The point I’m trying to prove isn’t about financial reward from the case, but to point out that the likes of Chickson Iregbeghen and Barrister Mabel Olifo, who eventually became a counsel to the defendant do not deserve their jobs.
“Mabel Olifo alongside Edo State Commandant of NSCDC at the time assaulted me along Akpakpava Road by 3rd junction in Benin City in 2019 with my driver for using the federal government road at a time they were also using it.
“This judgement, however long it took, has re-enforced my believe in the nation’s judicial system that justice, ultimately, is the plank upon which humanity revolves, and that vandals in security uniform would always have their days in the sun.
“I have established a foundation named Center for Law Enforcement, Justice (CLEJ), the motto is Justice for the weak and the vulnerable and this is to be a landmark to fight injustice in law enforcement for generations yet unborn,” Comrade Ikhide said.
8 years after: Federal High Court awards damages against NSCDC operative for brutalizing activist
