Victims of Immigration recruitment tragedy sue FG

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam and Edoamaowo Udeme

Victims of the Immigration recruitment exercise have sued the Federal Government over what it described as “negligence” during the exercise which claimed the lives of over 20 job seekers.

 Peoples Daily recall that the federal government promised to offer three slots for each of the deceased families which up to now has not been heard despite a committee set up to conduct fresh recruitment exercise.

 Already, leading Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential aspirant, Mrs. Funke Adekoya (SAN) has volunteered to lead free of charge the legal team for the victims who are suing the federal government for compensation.

 The plaintiffs are expected to file a writ of summons this week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking a declaration that the defendants acted negligently and in total disregard to the sanctity of lives of over 520,000 Nigerians who participated in the exercise.

The plaintiffs are Patience Nonye Omezie and Kasim Yusuf Suleiman while the defendants are the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Attorney-General of the Federation, Interior Minister, Abba Moro, Nigerian Immigration Services, and its Comptroller General, David Shikfu Parradang.

Meanwhile, women lawyers under the aegis of the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA), Imo State Chapter have also bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award on Adekoya for her outstanding professional track record.

 The recognition is coming against the backdrop of her endorsement for the post of NBA presidency by outspoken jurist, Justice Ishaq Bello. Justice Bello who spoke at the recent Young Lawyers Summit while representing the Chief Judge of FCT said he was highly impressed with Adekoya’s practice as an advocate, adding that he hoped the NBA electorate would accord with the growing trend in gender sensitivity and give the leading advocate a chance.