Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Ruth .J
The Nigeria Police Force and other respondents have been ordered by a Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, to pay N100 million in damages over the death of 22-year-old Onyekachi Mba, who was allegedly tortured, assaulted and killed by police personnel attached to the Cross River State Government House.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday, July 9, 2026, by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Calabar Division, following a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the family of the deceased through their lawyer, Chief Roland Nbubuka, on October 10, 2025.
The case was brought against the Nigeria Police Force and four other respondents, including ASP Victor Edet, the Police Service Commission, the Cross River State Commissioner of Police, and SP Emmanuel Dickson, who served as the Chief Security Officer of the Government House in Calabar.
The applicant argued that the killing of Onyekachi Mba violated his constitutional rights to life, dignity, personal liberty and fair treatment as guaranteed under sections 35, 36, 37 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The court was asked to determine whether the alleged torture, assault and subsequent death of the 22-year-old amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights and whether compensation should be awarded under section 46 of the Constitution, which allows victims of rights violations to seek legal remedies.
In her ruling, Justice Ojukwu held that the actions of the police security personnel involved in the incident were unlawful, unjustified and represented a serious abuse of power. The judge stated that the treatment of Mba, including the alleged assault and shooting, amounted to a violation of his constitutional rights.
The court consequently awarded N100 million in damages against the respondents, ruling that they could be held jointly or individually responsible for the payment.
The judgment followed the death of Onyekachi Mba after an incident at the residence of Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu on August 1, 2025. According to the legal proceedings, Mba was allegedly beaten and shot by police officers attached to the governor’s residence and later died from his injuries at the Naval Reference Hospital in Calabar.
The incident had attracted public attention and raised concerns about police accountability, the use of force by security personnel and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.
The court’s decision adds to ongoing national discussions about police reform, accountability mechanisms and the need for stronger safeguards against abuse of authority by security agencies.
Human rights advocates have consistently called for transparent investigations and legal consequences in cases involving alleged misconduct by law enforcement officers, arguing that accountability is essential to maintaining public confidence in security institutions.
The Nigeria Police Force and other affected parties are expected to comply with the court’s decision or pursue any available legal options in line with the country’s judicial process.
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