The advocacy group, Justice for Alex, has renewed pressure on the Nigeria Police Force to immediately comply with a court judgment awarding N50million compensation to the family of late journalist Alex Ogbu, who was killed while covering a protest in Abuja in January 2020.
In a petition addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and made available to SaharaReporters on Thursday, the group accused the police of failing to obey a subsisting judgement of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, which ordered compensation for Ogbu’s family over his death.
The petition, received on June 11 by the Central Mail Collection Office, department of finance and administration, Force Headquarters was signed by Francisca Ogbu, Dimeji Macaulay, Gerald Katchy and Salako Kayode, described the continued delay in implementing the judgement as a violation of the rule of law and an affront to judicial authority.
Titled: “FOLLOW UP OPEN PETITION TO THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE ON THE IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF COURT-AWARDED COMPENSATION TO THE FAMILY OF LATE ALEX OGBU,” the group urged the police leadership to intervene and ensure immediate payment of the N50 million compensation awarded by the court.
“We, the undersigned citizens of Nigeria, write to demand the immediate implementation of the judgement delivered by Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting at Court 58, Kurudu, which ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay the sum of N50,000,000 as compensation to the family of late Alex Ogbu,” the petition stated.
According to the petitioners, Ogbu’s killing represented not only the loss of a citizen but also a grave violation of press freedom and the rights of journalists to carry out their lawful duties without fear of violence.
The group noted that the court judgement was a recognition of the injustice suffered by Ogbu’s family and a reminder that security agencies must be held accountable when their actions result in the loss of innocent lives.
They argued that compliance with the judgement would demonstrate respect for the judiciary, strengthen public confidence in law enforcement institutions and reinforce the principles of accountability in a democratic society.
“The continued delay in complying with the court’s judgement undermines the authority of the judiciary, erodes public confidence in the justice system, and sends a troubling message about accountability within the arms of government,” the petition added.
The petitioners also urged the police to adopt stronger safeguards to protect journalists and citizens during public demonstrations and protests, stressing that Ogbu’s death remains a painful reminder of the dangers faced by media practitioners covering public events in Nigeria.
“There have been numerous appeals and interventions on this matter with no positive result. We appeal to the Inspector-General of Police to help intervene in this matter,” the group stated.
The advocacy group maintained that justice would remain incomplete until the compensation ordered by the court is paid to Ogbu’s family.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” the petition concluded.
Alex Ogbu, a journalist with RegentAfrica Times magazine, was killed on January 21, 2020, while covering a protest by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as the Shi’ite movement, in Abuja.
Witnesses and rights groups alleged that Ogbu was struck by a bullet during a confrontation between security personnel and protesters near the Federal Secretariat area of the capital city.
His death sparked widespread condemnation from media organisations, civil society groups and human rights advocates, who demanded an independent investigation and accountability for those responsible.
The incident also renewed concerns about the safety of journalists in Nigeria, particularly those reporting from conflict zones, protests and politically sensitive events.
Following legal action instituted on behalf of Ogbu’s family, Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the FCT High Court awarded N50 million in damages against the Nigeria Police Force as compensation to the deceased journalist’s relatives.
However, according to the petitioners, several years after the judgement, the compensation has yet to be paid, prompting fresh calls for enforcement of the court order and justice for the slain journalist’s family.
(SaharaReporters)