Okuama killings: Judge seeks out-of-court settlement in N2bn suit against army

Binta Nyako, a judge at the federal high court judge in Abuja, has advised Lucky Okodeh, a former caretaker chair of southern Ijaw LGA in Bayelsa state, to explore an out-of-court settlement with the Nigerian army.

Okodeh had sued the army for publishing his photograph among those declared wanted over the killing of 17 soldiers in Delta state.

Okodeh who sued the chief of defence staff (CDS) and chief of army staff (COAS) as first and second respondents, respectively asked the court to award N2 billion as damages against the respondents for the alleged violation of his rights to personal liberty and dignity.

At the court session on Thursday, Asmau Yunusa, counsel to the applicant, said she received the 1st respondent’s (CDS)  counter affidavit on Wednesday and would need more time to file her response

She noted that the second respondent (COAS) was not represented in court.

Addressing the lawyers, the judge advised the parties involved to resolve the issue amicably.

“It is not what we should waste the taxpayers’ money on,” the judge said. 

Nyako then adjourned the matter until November 28 for further mention.

BACKGROUND

On March 14, 17 officers of the Nigerian Army were killed during an operation in the Okuama community in Delta state.

President Bola Tinubu and the military high command promised that the masterminds of the killings would be brought to justice.

The slain soldiers were buried at the military cemetery in Abuja m, and were posthumously conferred with national honours by the president.

The president also offered scholarships to the children of the late officers.

Subsequently, the Defence Headquarters declared eight persons wanted in connection with the killing of the army personnel.

Those declared wanted were Ekpekpo Arthur, a professor of physics at the Delta State University; Akevwru Omotegbono; Andaowei Bakrikri; Igoli Ebi, a lady; Akata David; Sinclear Oliki; Clement Oghenerukevwe; and Reuben Baru.

The DHQ included Okodeh’s picture and identified him as “Akevwru Daniel Omotegbono” on the list.