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Senate Panel slams NDLEA over Delta Tragic Shooting, Demands Justice for Victims
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has strongly condemned the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over a tragic shooting incident that claimed the life of a two-year-old, Onosereba Omhonria, and left his one-year-old brother, Eromonsele, fighting to save his eyesight.
The devastating incident occurred on July 13, 2023, in Asaba, Delta State, when NDLEA operatives opened fire while the children were with their mother in her shop. Onosereba succumbed to his injuries at the Federal Medical Center in Asaba, while Eromonsele now requires urgent medical intervention abroad to restore his sight.
The victims’ father, Mr. Fidelis Omhonria, alongside legal counsel from Matthew Edaghese & Co., petitioned the Senate committee, demanding justice, accountability, and ₦2 billion in compensation to cover the loss of their child and Eromonsele’s medical expenses.
The NDLEA’s offer of ₦25 million in compensation sparked outrage among lawmakers. Senator Neda Imaseun (Edo South), Chair of the Ethics Committee, described the amount as grossly inadequate and demeaning.
“A two-year-old is dead, his younger sibling is battling to save his eyesight, and all you’re offering is ₦25 million? That is callous,” Imaseun said. He stressed the irreplaceable value of a young life and the irreparable trauma inflicted on the family.
Matthew Edaghese, Esq., representing the family, accused the NDLEA of employing deceitful tactics to delay justice, including false claims about his absence at a purported meeting with the House Committee.
“The NDLEA’s conduct has been callous and inhumane. They have ignored the $150,000 evaluation conducted for Eromonsele’s treatment abroad. The family is devastated, yet the agency has failed to take responsibility,” Edaghese said.
The Senate panel has resolved to work closely with the House of Representatives to ensure that the family receives fair compensation and that the NDLEA is held accountable.
“This case will not be swept under the rug. Justice must be comprehensive, ensuring medical care for the surviving child and adequate compensation for the life lost. The world is watching,” Edaghese stated.
The incident highlighted systemic issues within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies and the justice system. The Senate’s insistence on accountability sends a strong message about the need for reform and the protection of citizens’ rights.
As deliberations continue between the Senate and House committees, the public and the grieving family await a resolution that delivers justice and closure for the victims of this avoidable tragedy.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has nabbed a renowned business executive and socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu.
Her legal team made this known in a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, her lawyer had reportedly told the Federal High Court in Abuja that she had already stated in her court documents that she would visit the EFCC today in connection with its ongoing investigation into an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered Achimugu to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to respond to allegations related to an ongoing investigation.
The court also directed that she must be present before it on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, to continue proceedings in the matter.
The Chairman of Ward 1 of the Labour Party (LP) in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Okasime Olowojoba, has been kidnapped while traveling along the Auchi-Benin-Ibillo Road.
The incident occurred on Saturday near Sasaro, a location notorious for frequent cases of abduction. Olowojoba, who also works as a realtor, was reportedly returning to Igarra after visiting Auchi to pick up his children following their holiday break.
According to reports, the assailants initially seized everyone in the vehicle — Olowojoba, his children, and a house help — but later freed the children and the domestic aide, taking only Olowojoba deep into the forest.
A family member speaking with Vanguard on Monday revealed that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N50 million for his release.
The source explained, “Valentine Okasime Olowojoba was returning with his children when he was ambushed and kidnapped around Sasaro. The lack of network service throughout Saturday delayed any contact with the kidnappers until Sunday afternoon.”
“The attackers abandoned the vehicle at the scene and took him away. His brother later confirmed that a N50 million ransom has been demanded. We also heard reports of additional abductions in the same area on Sunday,” the source added.
Efforts to reach the Edo State Police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered.
Vanguard
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a N1 billion suit instituted against former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele over the hardships that trailed the 2023 Naira redesign policy.
The judge threw out the suit instituted by an Abuja based legal practitioner, Uthman Isa Tochukwu on the grounds of lack of diligent prosecution of the case.
In a ruling on Monday, Justice Ekwo said that he was convinced that the plaintiff had deliberately abandoned his own case due to his persistent absence in court without legal representation and any explanation.
The plaintiff in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/418/2023 had dragged the former President, Attorney General of the Federation, former governor of the CBN, CBN and two commercial banks before the court claiming that they inflicted series of hardships on him during the redesign of the Naira.
In the suit filed on his behalf by his counsel, Bala Dakum, the plaintiff alleged that his fundamental rights to freedom of movement and dignity of his person were violently breached.
Specifically, the legal practitioner claimed his movement was curtailed while his money in the two commercial banks could not be assessed during the hardship occasioned by the redesign of the Naira in January and March 2023.
He therefore prayed the court to award N1 billion damages against the defendants to be paid to him for the breach of his fundamental rights.
However, at Monday’s proceedings, both the plaintiff and his counsel were not in court and did not offer any excuse for their absence.
Counsel to the 3rd and 4th defendants (Emefiele and CBN) Mr Chikelue Amasiani drew the attention of Justice Ekwo to the persistent absence of the plaintiff and his counsel in court during past proceedings.
He prayed the judge to strike out the suit and that the plaintiff can come back to revive the case when ready to show seriousness.
In a brief ruling, Justice Ekwo agreed with the lawyer and struck out the suit.
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