Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has filed a lawsuit against the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, and 10 other Nigerian Army officers over the extra-judicial killing of a policeman, Inspector Orukpe Monday. The exclusively gathered that Mrs Favour Monday, the widow of the deceased, is seeking N300million in compensation and has asked that her late husband’s fundamental human rights be enforced.
On August 3, 2022, Inspector Monday was killed by armed personnel of the Nigerian Army while carrying out his official duties in the Trade Fair section of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway area of Lagos State. In the suit, Falana is arguing that the deceased’s fundamental rights were grossly violated and are seeking a declaration that the torture and extra-judicial killing of Inspector Monday is illegal and unlawful.
Falana is asking the court to order the respondents to pay a total sum of N300million in compensation to the family of the deceased and to set up a special education fund of not less than N100million for the late Inspector’s children. The lawyer is also requesting an order mandating the respondents to jointly and severally pay the sum of N200million as general and aggravated damages for violation of the deceased’s fundamental rights.
Falana argues that the murder of Inspector Monday violates the fundamental rights to life, the dignity of the human person, fair hearing, and presumption of innocence, which are guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.
The deceased left behind a wife and four children, Divine Monday, Emmanuel Monday, Praise Monday, and Covenant Monday, who is one year old. Falana is asking the court to grant the reliefs sought in his application, declaring that it has merit and making the necessary declarations and orders.
In conclusion, the court case is a reminder that the Nigerian Armed Forces must act within the confines of the law and respect the fundamental human rights of citizens they encounter in the course of their duties.
Note: All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from
