Activist drags Edo Security Network, Police, others to court, demands over N500m damages over alleged assault

A human rights activist and the Coordinator-General of Edo North Unity Forum, Comrade Christopher Okhai Okhani, has dragged the Edo State Security Corps and the Nigeria Police Force before the Federal High Court, Benin City, over alleged assault, torture, bodily harm and threat to life by the operatives of the two security agencies.

DAILY POST reports that the case, suit no. FHC/B/CS/101/2025, was for the enforcement of the applicant’s fundamental rights.

It was also instituted on the alleged infringement of his constitutional rights to life, right to personal liberty, right to dignity of human person, freedom of association, freedom of expression and right to freedom of movement.

The defendants in the case are Abubakar Aliu, a.k.a, Agbor, Ibrahim Giwa, a.k.a Barrister, Joseph Israel, John Ekpetika Okogie, a.k.a Ebepo, Cosmas Iwenekhai, Hon Valentine Okwilague, the acting chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area.

Others are the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Adjidahun Lawrence, Area Commander, Auchi Auchi Command, Police Service Commission, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State.

In an originating application by the counsel to the human rights activist, Prosperity Law Firm, Benin City, averred that the suit was pursuant to sections 2,3(a), and (f) of the preamble to the fundamental rights (enforcement procedure)rules 2009, order 11 rules 1 and 2 of the fundamental rights (enforcement procedure) rules 2009.

The applicant also hinged the suit on sections 33, 34, 35, 39, 40 and 41 of chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and articles 4 and 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples ‘ Rights.

The activist in his prayers demanded, among others, a sum of N500 million severally/jointly from the respondents for the breach of his fundamental rights, threats to life, torture, bodily harm, public disgrace/embarrassment and molestation as aggravated and exemplary damages.

He also demanded from the 1st and 6th respondents the sum of N2,935,600 million, being the cost of treatment at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, N18,700 million as special damages, being the cost of the 48 branded crystal gold colour awards allegedly carted away by the respondents.

He further demanded from the 1st and 6th respondents , the sum of N1.5 million for his iPhone 13 Pro Max, allegedly taken away, as well as N320,000 for the cost of his wristwatch, Chieftaincy cap, Chieftaincy beads, and his clothes, allegedly torn into shreds by the defendants.

He listed the 1st to 6th respondents as Abubakar Aliu, a.k.a, Agbor, Ibrahim Giwa, a.k.a Barrister, Joseph Israel, John Ekpetika Okogie, a.k.a Ebepo, Cosmas Iwenekhai, Hon Valentine Okwilague, the acting chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area.

That applicant posited that the 1st to 5th respondents are agents of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo St, as well as the State Security Corps.

In the originating application the applicant alleged that on July 26, 2025 at a ceremony by the Edo North Unity Forum in which he is the coordinator- general, about 50 armed men in the uniforms of the Edo State Security Corps on about 15 motorcycles, three Hilux vehicle and one Sienna vehicle coordinated by the 1st- 6th respondents stormed the venue and shot repeatedly into the air to disrupt the occasion.

According to applications, on the 26th day of July, 2025, the Edo North Unity Forum, of which he (the applicant) is the Convener/Coordinator-General had an event, an annual award presentation ceremony to deserving community leaders, traditional rulers and public officials at Auchi Townhall, Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State.

“That while the ceremony was about to commence as some guests had arrived, about 50 armed men in the uniforms of the Edo State Security Corps on about 15 motorcycles, three Hilux vehicles and one Sienna vehicle coordinated by the 1st to 6th respondents stormed the venue in commando style, shot sporadically into the air which caused serious pandemonium.

“This led to attendees scampering for safety, they seized the phones and power banks of some of the attendees and the DJ. The armed men went straight to the applicant who was confused about what was going on, seized his phones, brought him from the hall to outside and started beating him with the butts of their guns and their boots.

“He was beaten mercilessly, tore the sky blue clothes he wore, they took his iPhone 13 Promax, chieftaincy beads, wrist watch, title cap abd and after beating him to a near death and videoing the scene they whisked him away in one of their Hilux vehicles and carted away the 48 branded crystal gold colour awards met for the awardees,” he said.

The application, averred that the acts of the respondents violate Chapter IV, sections 33, 34, 35, 39, 40 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, sections 2 and 8 of the Anti-Torture Act 2017 and Article 4 and 5 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) rules 2009.

He also averred that the inhuman and degrading treatment and torture being meted out to him is a breach of his fundamental rights, such as the dignity of his person.

“The 1st to 6th respondents are still threatening to attack and kill me through phone calls I receive from private numbers for crying out for justice, and I am now in hiding as they boast that they are untouchable, highly connected and above the law,” he alleged.