News

Extra-judicial Killing: Falana Sues Army Staff, Others Over Murder Of Police Officer

Published

2 years ago

May 26, 2023

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Femi Falana, has filed a lawsuit against the Chief of Army Staff over “the extra-judicial killing of Inspector Monday Orukpe at the Trade Fair section of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway Area of Lagos State in August 2022 in the course of his official duties.”

10 other army officers, joined in the suit as respondents.

The suit was filed on Thursday on behalf of Favour Monday for the enforcement of her husband’s fundamental human rights to life, the dignity of the human person, private and family life and presumption of innocence.

Monday has four children with Inspector Monday Orukpe: Divine Monday (15 years old), Emmanuel Monday (12 years old), Praise Monday and Covenant Monday (one year old).

In the suit, Falana is arguing that “It is clear beyond doubt that the deceased’s fundamental rights have been grossly violated and on the strength of the facts and exhibits contained in the affidavit in support, the legal argument canvassed in this suit”.

Falana noted that, “A man should be allowed to thread Nigeria soil and breathe Nigeria air until the Court finds him unworthy to so do. The Respondent’s agents have no right to sniff life out of the deceased extra-judicially as they have done in this case.”

The suit partly reads, “We graciously pray my Lord to so hold and grant the reliefs as sought in the statement accompanying this application. On the whole, we urge your Lordship to find that this application has merit and in finding as such make the declarations and orders sought herein.

“The Applicant is a Nigerian, a resident of Ota in Ogun State and the wife of Inspector Monday Orukpe who was gruesomely murdered by the agents of the 1st Respondent.

“The deceased; Inspector Monday Orukpe was an inspector of police with the Trade Fair Police Divisional Headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command murdered on August 3, 2022, along Lagos/Badagry Expressway, Lagos while carrying out his official duties as a police officer.

“The deceased; Inspector Monday Orukpe was entitled to his right to life, the dignity of his person, fair hearing and presumption of innocence guaranteed by Sections 33, 34 and 36 (1) and (5) of Nigeria (As Amended) and Articles 4, 5 and 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (CAP A10) LFN 2004.

“The extra-judicial killing of the Applicant’s husband: Inspector Monday Orukpe by armed agents of the 1st Respondent at the Lagos/Badagry Expressway of Lagos State on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, violates the deceased’s fundamental right to life guaranteed by Section 33 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) 1999 (As Amended) and Article 4 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights.

“The brutalization and indiscriminate killing of the Applicant’s husband; Inspector Monday Orukpe by the Respondents at the Lagos/Badagry Expressway of Lagos State on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, is wrongful, oppressive, illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void as it violates the deceased’s fundamental right to the dignity of the human person.

“The extra-judicial murder of the Applicant’s husband; Inspector Monday Orukpe by the Respondents at the Lagos/Badagry Expressway of Lagos State on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, is wrongful, oppressive, illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void as it violates the deceased’s fundamental right to fair hearing and presumption of innocence.

“The extra-judicial killing of the Applicant’s husband; Inspector Monday Orukpe by the Respondents at the Lagos/Badagry Expressway of Lagos State on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 is wrongful, oppressive, illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void as it violates the fundamental right to private and family life of the deceased, the Applicant and their children.

“The Applicant is entitled to an order of this Honourable Court mandating the Respondents to set up a special education fund of not less than N100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Naira) through the registry of this Honourable Court in favour of the children of late Inspector Monday Orukpe and the Applicant, sufficient to cater for their educational needs from primary school to University in any educational institution she may wish to attend.

“The Applicant is entitled to an order of this Honourable Court compelling the Respondents to jointly and severally pay to the Applicant the sum of N200, 000,000.00 (Two Hundred Million Naira) as general and aggravated damages for the illegal violation of the fundamental rights to life, the dignity of the person and presumption of innocence of Inspector Monday Orukpe; their breadwinner.

“The Constitution being the grundnorm is Supreme. Section 1 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) guarantees in clear terms the supremacy of the Constitution. The provisions of the Constitution have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the sovereign geographical entity known as Nigeria.

“The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria has in Chapter IV, Sections 33,34, 35, 36, and 37 provided for the right to life, the dignity of a person, fair hearing, the right to presumption of innocence and the right to private and family life respectively.

“In the same vein, Articles 2, 4, 5, 7; (1) (b) & (2) and 18 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act provides for the rights to life, dignity of the human person, fair hearing, presumption of innocence and private and family life respectively.

“The right to human life is the highest in the hierarchy of rights enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which explains the reason why same is listed as the first among the fundamental rights encapsulated in Chapter 4 of the Constitution.

“This right once taken away can never be restored save for the award of damages and or other reliefs to assuage the wrong done to the person (s) who has (have) an interest in the continuous existence of the deceased.

“The right to life can never be quantified in terms of monetary damages and the agony/wrong suffered by the society, the deceased and the loved ones of the deceased can never be fully recompensed.

“The right of the deceased-patriotic and diligent police officer, Inspector Monday Orukpe to private and family life which is entrenched and protected variously in Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 18 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights.”

The Applicant is seeking the following reliefs:

“A declaration that the extra-judicial killing of the Applicant’s husband, Inspector Monday Orukpe by the 2nd to 11th Respondents at the Trade Fair section of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway Area of Lagos State on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, is wrongful, unlawful and illegal as it violates the deceased’s fundamental right to life guaranteed by Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) 1999 (As Amended) and Article 4 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights.

“A declaration that the torture and assault of the Applicant’s husband; Inspector Monday Orukpe by the 2nd to 11th Respondents at the Trade Fair section of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway Area of Lagos State on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, is wrongful, unlawful and illegal as it violates the deceased’s fundamental right to the dignity of the human person guaranteed by Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) 1999 (As Amended) and Article 5 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights.

“A declaration that the extra-judicial killing of the Applicant’s husband; Inspector Monday Orukpe by the 2nd to 11th Respondents at the Trade Fair section of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway Area of Lagos State on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, is wrongful, unlawful and illegal as it violates the deceased’s fundamental right to fair hearing and presumption of innocence guaranteed by Section 36 (1), (5)of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) 1999 (As Amended) and Articles 7 (1) (b) and (2) of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights.

“A declaration that the extra-judicial killing of the Applicant’s husband; Inspector Monday Orukpe by the 2nd to 11th Respondents at the Trade Fair section of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway Area of Lagos State on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, is wrongful, oppressive and unlawful as it violates the fundamental human right to private and family life of the deceased, the Applicant and their children guaranteed by Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) 1999 (As Amended) and Article 18 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights.

“An order of this Honourable Court mandating the Respondents to set up a special education fund of not less than N100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Naira) through the registry of this Honourable Court in favour of the children of late Inspector Monday Orukpe and the Applicant, sufficient to cater for their educational needs from primary school to University in any educational institution they may wish to attend.

“An order of this Honourable Court compelling the Respondents to jointly and severally pay to the Applicant the sum of N200,000,000.00 (Two Hundred Million Naira) as general and aggravated damages for the illegal violation of the fundamental rights to life, the dignity of the person and presumption of innocence of Inspector Monday Orukpe; their breadwinner.

“And any other order(s) as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance of the case.”

However, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

VANGUARD

News

Edo To Immortalise Late IGP Solomon Arase

Published

11 hours ago

September 27, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Government is set to immortalise the late Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who is an indigene of the state.

Governor of the state, Monday Okpebhole, disclosed this on Saturday while receiving the body of the late Arase at the Benin Airport.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Gani Audu, Okpebholo described late Arase as “one of the finesse police officers and lawyers we have in Edo State,’ adding that “losing him at this time that the Nigeria Police Force and the country in general need him is not good for us”.

“As a State Government, we will work with the family to see how we can Immortalize him. He was a great son of Edo State.

“It is very painful to the government and people of Edo State but we are consoled with the good life he lived”.

Okpebholo described Arase as a team player and a man that was always willing to help.

“It is painful that we lost somebody who always listens to every complaint and tries as much as possible to solve them”.

He, however, prayed to God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss, assuring that the government will do all that it can to support his family.

News

Edo Activist In Police Net Over Alleged Assault On Abure

Published

13 hours ago

September 27, 2025

Editor

Edo-based activist, Precious Oruche, popularly known as “Mama Pee”, has been detained following a heated confrontation with the factional National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, at the Abuja Airport.

The incident, which had since gone viral, had sparked controversy and conflicting accounts from both parties.

According to reports, the saga began at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where Mama Pee allegedly confronted Abure as he prepared to board a Max Air flight to Benin.

Eyewitness accounts said the activist approached Abure and accused him of being responsible for the hardships Nigerians are currently facing.

“Is this not Julius Abure? You’re the one frustrating Nigerians,” she reportedly told Abure in a confrontational manner.

Abure was responding by saying ‘how can…’ when Mama Pee interjected, saying, “In case nobody has told you, you’re the one frustrating Nigerians. Are you not Julius Abure? What are you now doing with Labour Party? Police are looking for you. You’ve destroyed the Labour Party, and you’re entering an aeroplane? May God punish all of you.”

Arriving at the Benin Airport, things took a more violent dimension as Mama Pee was allegedly attacked by a group of young men believed to be thugs loyal to Abure.

A video circulating online shows a scuffle at the airport’s exit, with several individuals attempting to drag the activist, before security and immigration officials stepped in.

Speaking in one of the video recordings, Mama Pee claimed she was assaulted by the group.

“Look at them oh!!! See them oh!!! They want to beat me after I told Julius Abure that he is the one frustrating the lives of Nigerians, and then he brought thugs. He brought thugs to harass me. Look at them, can you see them,” she exclaimed.

She further alleged, “I saw Julius Abure of Labour Party inside the Max Air, and I told him that you are the one frustrating the lives of Nigerians. You sold Labour Party, and then he called his thugs to wait for me at the airport in Benin.”

Another activist, Peter Akah—widely known as ‘Peter for Nigeria’—released a video calling for Mama Pee’s immediate release.

He appealed to Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, and the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika to intervene.

Akah argued that the activist, who he described as a victim of political violence, had been wrongly turned into a suspect by the police.

Meanwhile, the Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has issued its own version of events, condemning what it termed an “unwarranted attack” on their chairman.

In a statement released by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party claimed Mama Pee accosted Abure at the Abuja airport in an unprovoked manner while he was boarding his flight to Benin.

“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene,” Ifoh stated.

He added that Abure had to be quickly escorted to safety by security agents, while the activist was handed over to police for questioning.

The statement further alleged that Mama Pee, who is described as a known figure in the ‘Obidient’ Movement, bragged in one of her videos about her connections to top police officers.

“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party,’” Ifoh said.

He called for a thorough probe, just as he urged the Inspector General of Police to look into what they termed cyberbullying and political provocation.

As of the time of filing this report, attempts to get a comment from the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Moses Yamu, were unsuccessful as calls were neither answered nor returned.

News

Educationist Gets Guinness World Record For Largest Teachers’ Gathering

Published

14 hours ago

September 27, 2025

Editor

Nigerian teacher and education advocate, Mr Seyi Anifowose, has officially entered the Guinness World Records for convening the largest gathering of teachers in history, a feat achieved at the “Let There Be Teachers Conference 2025” held on September 20 at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

A statement by 1 Million Teachers on Friday said the confirmation was announced via a Zoom call on Wednesday, September 23, by Rishi Nath, a representative of Guinness World Records.

Nath commended Anifowose and his team for drawing global attention to an issue that, according to him, “should be on the front burner of policy and dialogue nationally.”

The record-setting event, powered by 1 Million Teachers, drew an unprecedented number of educators from across Nigeria.

Organisers had projected attendance of 60,000 teachers, underscoring both the scale of the mobilisation and the urgency of the message: that Nigerian teachers deserve greater recognition, welfare, and policy support.

“This is more than a number. It is proof that teachers matter. It is a victory for education, and it is a victory for Nigeria,” said Anifowose.

He explained that the choice of Tafawa Balewa Square carried symbolic weight. He said, “It was the same ground where Nigeria declared independence in 1960, and its use for the conference marks another proud national moment—this time celebrating those who build nations in classrooms.”

Anifowose admitted that achieving the milestone was not without challenges.

“This is not just about breaking a record. It is about resilience. Teachers stood in the rain, braved the sun, and endured long verification lines but refused to back down just to achieve this record,” he noted.

He expressed gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for hosting the event and to his home-state governor, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, for his encouragement.

He also thanked teacher unions and education agencies at both state and federal levels for their support in ensuring the conference’s success.

Beyond the record, Anifowose emphasised that the next phase would focus on policy advocacy. He revealed plans to engage the National Assembly on reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s education system and boosting teachers’ welfare.

Nigeria’s education sector has long grappled with underfunding, poor infrastructure, and low teacher morale.

According to UNESCO, the country faces one of the world’s most severe teacher shortages, with many classrooms overcrowded and educators underpaid.

Stakeholders have repeatedly called for reforms to strengthen the sector, improve teacher training, and make the profession attractive to younger generations.

By securing this world record, Anifowose hopes to transform symbolic recognition into tangible change for teachers nationwide.

(PUNCH)