By Osaigbovo Iguobaro
A 70-year-old man, Mr. Innocent Omorogiukpon, has slammed N2 billion suit against the Supreme Court of Nigeria over his ‘unlawful conviction’ in 1975.
In a suit number FHC/B/CS/30/2020 filed by the Counsel to the Convict, Esiri Charles Esq, has dragged the Supreme Court to a Federal High Court in Benin City, seeking a reversal of his ‘unlawful conviction’, alleging that the apex court was partial in its judgment.
The N2 billion is for general and or exemplary damages for compensation for the unlawful imprisonment for six years in addition to a public apology to be published in a national daily and for such order or orders as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.
The Septuagenarian, a former Staff of the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs, Lagos State, was convicted on April 2, 1974 by Lagos High Court. In the process of time, the judgment was further upheld by the apex court Court of Nigeria on June 12, 1975 for alleged unlawful receipt of gratification.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria, however, in June 12, 1975, upheld the judgment of the lower court and sentenced the now Septuagenarian to a jail terms of six years imprisonment, which is running concurrently.
The Claimants argued that based on the partial judgment, his constitutional and fundamental human rights was grossly violated, as his six years jail term was illegal.
He also stated that as a result of the alleged illegal imprisonment, him had suffered permanent and continuing humiliation by being tagged an ex-convict, lost his job in the Federal Civil Service in 1974 till date having been employed in 1971as a administrative officer and various appointments, politically, socially and others.
The septuagenarian said the decision to drag the apex court to the Federal High Court, Benin City was as a result of the failure of the registrar of the court to grant him a certified true copy of the judgment.
