A lawsuit has been filed by Okuama community residents in Delta state against the Nigerian Army for allegedly violating their fundamental human rights.
A federal high court in Warri received the suit on Thursday, with the file number FHC/WR/CS/41/2024. The plaintiffs are requesting N200 billion in general and exemplary damages.
Twelve soldiers, two majors, a captain, and a lieutenant colonel were among the army personnel that were slain in the town on March 14.
In an effort to identify the culprits, military activities have been conducted in Okuama since then.
The applicants claimed in the lawsuit that they were the targets of media trials and accusations regarding the incident.
They assert that the army has punished them all collectively without conducting a police investigation or a public inquiry that would have indicted them for the offense.
The petitioners also claimed that many of them had been slain, their properties had been destroyed, and they had been forced from their homes.
They are requesting an order from the court “to enforce the fundamental rights to the private and family life, freedom of movement, right to a fair trial, right to the applicants’ and residents’ property, and right to the applicants’ and residents’ property in the Okuama community.”
In addition, they want an injunction allowing the applicants and the people of Okuama village to reclaim their land and prohibiting the army from infringing on their fundamental rights any further.
Victor Akemor, Madam Omotiwori Olarehor, Victor Odi, Okrika Emmanuel, Austin Eferemua, and Evelyn Edjekola are listed as applicants in the lawsuit.
Belvis Adogbo, James Ubredu, David Oghenewede, Lucky Orode, Iwriogbo Best, Felix Orhiunu, Bernard Michael, Oghenekobiruo, Vero Joseph, Ebikawe Emmanuel, and Francis Uphurie are the others.
The plaintiffs are suing on behalf of both the people of Okuama village and themselves.
Malcolm Omirhobo, Akpokona Omafuaire, Seprebofa Oyeghe, O. L. Ofuasia, and Ernest Ogbaga are the attorneys involved in the lawsuit.