The parents of a two-year-old boy, Ivan Omhonria, who was shot and killed, and his younger brother, Eromonsele, who was shot in the eye, by men of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have demanded N2 billion compensation from the agency.
Ivan was killed by a stray bullet fired during a raid in the Okpanam area of Asaba, Delta State, on July 13, 2023.
The children had just returned from school and were at their mother’s shop when the tragic incident occurred.
Ivan’s father, Fidelis Omhonria, expressed his grievance, stating that his family had been abandoned by the agency since the incident, with no substantial effort made to address the harm done.
The NDLEA’s lawyer, Muniat Adeleye, who is the Assistant Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, told the committee that the agency had agreed to a compensation of N25 million with the family.
She said the entire sum was to be paid in five tranches spread over five months.
She expressed surprise over the petition adding that the agency did not expect it as the matter had been resolved, with Fidelis and his wife.
However, when asked for the agreement signed for the payment of the N25m compensation, Adeleye, who is the Assistant Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, said it had not been signed.
The Committee did not accept this and demanded that the NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (retd.) appear before the Committee at its next hearing on the matter.
However, the father of the boys denied such agreement, saying the Chairman of the Agency had sometime after the incident, sent him N5m on a personal note
He accused the agency of blatant refusal to compensate the family, adding that the attitude of the NDLEA forced him to petition the House Committee.
“I was shocked to hear her mention an agreement just now. I’m not a party to any agreement,” Fidelis said, accusing the agency of failing to compensate his family adequately.
He explained that while NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (retd.), had called him after the incident and expressed regret, the only money sent was N5 million, which was intended as a token for medical expenses for his surviving son.
“He didn’t mention any amount to me. He said he would send me some money to take care of my son. Two weeks later, I received N5 million in my wife’s account. That’s all! So where did the agreement for N25 million come in?”* he questioned.
Following this development, the committee rejected this explanation and demanded that NDLEA Chairman Marwa appear in person at the next hearing.
The family’s lawyer, Mathew Edaghese, reiterated the demand for N2 billion, criticizing the agency’s inaction.
“We wrote to them, demanded the sum of N2 billion as compensation. They never bothered to even respond to that demand. They ignored it with so much arrogance,” he stated.
Edaghese stressed the need for justice, adding, “A life was lost, cut short. Another destiny is being damaged because of the eye. From then until now, they’ve been dealing with that.
They (NDLEA) are not prepared to do anything to even remedy the physical damage done to this infant boy.”
He was just one year old when this incident happened. From then until now, they’ve been dealing with that. They (NDLEA) are not prepared to do anything to even remedy the physical damage done to this infant boy. It’s like they are playing games and gimmicks to dodge responsibility. We want this House to compel the NDLEA to be responsive and responsible enough as a corporate agency to do what is obtainable in line with best international standard practice.”
The Chairman of the Committee, Mike Etaba, who spoke at the event promised that justice would be served.
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Etaba stated, “I hope you appreciate the gravity of what we are saying. As far as the House is concerned, Nigerians are interested in this matter. The whole world is watching us.
The next day this matter is going to be adjourned, the principal officer, which is your head (Buba Marwa) has to be with this committee.
This matter is too serious for anybody to represent him. We also understand that you are a lawyer, and you have a right to represent your organisation.
But the point we find ourselves, and the kind of life-threatening events that we find ourselves; we want the NDLEA head to appear in person and explain to Nigerians.
“Since this incident took place, He has taken steps to make sure that this family recovers from the trauma. And as we speak, you can see the child with one eye. You are a mother (Referring to NDLEA’s lawyer). All of us are fathers. Nobody would be alive to see his or her child with this kind of condition.
“The money that has been sent to him was just a help, a token to make sure that he carries on with the little medication he needed to do. So let us not sit here and tell Nigerians that there was an agreement for NDLEA to pay this family N25m. Nobody should hear it. It shouldn’t be heard anywhere.”
Chairman of the Committee, Mike Etaba, assured the family that justice would be served, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter.
“As far as the House is concerned, Nigerians are interested in this matter. The whole world is watching us,” he said.
The hearing was adjourned to October 22, 2024, with the NDLEA Chairman expected to appear in person.
