Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Case Details
- Defendants
- Legal Basis
- Demands
- Incident Description
- Allegations
- Conclusion
A human rights activist and the Coordinator-General of the Edo North Unity Forum, Comrade Christopher Okhai Okhani, has filed a lawsuit against the Edo State Security Corps and the Nigeria Police Force at the Federal High Court in Benin City. This action is in response to alleged assault, torture, bodily harm, and threats to his life by operatives from these two security agencies.
According to DAILY POST, the case, identified as suit no. FHC/B/CS/101/2025, aims to protect the applicant's fundamental rights.
The lawsuit addresses the alleged violations of his constitutional rights to life, personal liberty, human dignity, freedom of association, freedom of expression, and freedom of movement.
The defendants in this case include Abubakar Aliu, also known as Agbor, Ibrahim Giwa, also known as Barrister, Joseph Israel, John Ekpetika Okogie, also known as Ebepo, Cosmas Iwenekhai, and Hon Valentine Okwilague, the acting chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area.
Additional defendants are the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Adjidahun Lawrence, the Area Commander of Auchi Command, the Police Service Commission, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Edo State.
In an application filed by the human rights activist's legal counsel, Prosperity Law Firm in Benin City, it was stated that the suit is based on sections 2, 3(a), and (f) of the preamble to the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, and Order 11, Rules 1 and 2 of the same rules.
The applicant also grounds the suit in sections 33, 34, 35, 39, 40, and 41 of Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as well as Articles 4 and 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
The activist is seeking, among other things, a total of N500 million from the respondents for the violation of his fundamental rights, threats to his life, torture, bodily harm, public disgrace, and molestation as aggravated and exemplary damages.
He is also requesting from the 1st and 6th respondents the sum of N2,935,600 million for medical treatment at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, and N18,700 million as special damages for 48 branded crystal gold color awards that were allegedly taken by the respondents.
Additionally, he is claiming N1.5 million from the 1st and 6th respondents for his iPhone 13 Pro Max, which he alleges was stolen, as well as N320,000 for the cost of his wristwatch, chieftaincy cap, chieftaincy beads, and clothing that were reportedly damaged by the defendants.
The 1st to 6th respondents are identified as Abubakar Aliu, also known as Agbor, Ibrahim Giwa, also known as Barrister, Joseph Israel, John Ekpetika Okogie, also known as Ebepo, Cosmas Iwenekhai, and Hon Valentine Okwilague, the acting chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area.
The applicant asserts that the 1st to 5th respondents are agents of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Edo State, as well as the State Security Corps.
In the originating application, the applicant claims that on July 26, 2025, during a ceremony organized by the Edo North Unity Forum, which he leads, approximately 50 armed men in Edo State Security Corps uniforms, riding on about 15 motorcycles and accompanied by three Hilux vehicles and one Sienna vehicle, stormed the event. They fired shots into the air to disrupt the proceedings.
According to the application, the Edo North Unity Forum, of which he is the Convener/Coordinator-General, held an annual award presentation ceremony at the Auchi Townhall, Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State, to honor deserving community leaders, traditional rulers, and public officials on that date.
“As the ceremony was set to begin and guests had started to arrive, about 50 armed men in Edo State Security Corps uniforms arrived in a commando-style, firing shots into the air, causing chaos and panic among the attendees,” he recounted.
“This led to attendees fleeing for safety. They confiscated phones and power banks from some guests and the DJ. The armed men approached the applicant, who was bewildered by the situation, seized his phones, dragged him outside, and began to beat him with the butts of their guns and their boots.
“He was severely beaten, his sky-blue attire was torn, they took his iPhone 13 Pro Max, chieftaincy beads, wristwatch, and title cap, and after subjecting him to brutal treatment and filming the incident, they abducted him in one of their Hilux vehicles along with the 48 branded crystal gold color awards intended for the recipients,” he stated.
The application claims that the actions 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 Articles 4 and 5 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009.
He further asserts that the inhumane and degrading treatment and torture inflicted upon him constitute a violation of his fundamental rights, particularly his dignity as a person.
“The 1st to 6th respondents continue to threaten my life through phone calls from private numbers because I am seeking justice, and I am currently in hiding, as they claim to be untouchable, well-connected, and above the law,” he alleged.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main allegations against the Edo State Security Corps and Nigeria Police Force?
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
Related to this topic:
