The Nigerian Police Force has disobeyed a court ruling, refusing to pay N20 million in compensation to Adebayo Olaide, a student from Osun State who was brutally assaulted by 11 police officers in 2009.
The incident occurred at a checkpoint in Odo Oba, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, resulting in permanent damage to Olaide’s eyesight.
On June 25, 2009, Olaide was stopped by police officers at a checkpoint. Despite being cooperative, he was accused of looking at the officers, which led to his brutal assault. One officer hit him in the face with a gun, causing severe injuries, including damage to his eyes.
“I can passively acknowledge that I was just smiling and looking at the trailer coming for him to pass, then I could take my leave,” Olaide recounted. “I was still smiling with them, joking together, when one officer hit me in the face with his gun. This incident left me with severe injuries, including damage to my eyes.”
Olaide spent 18 months in the hospital recovering from his injuries. Unfortunately, one of his eyes is completely damaged, and he is now totally blind. This has significantly impacted his ability to care for his three children.
“Unfortunately, one of my eyes is completely damaged, and I’m now totally blind. This has significantly impacted my ability to care for my three children,” Olaide said.
In 2013 and 2014, a court ruled that the Nigerian Police Force must pay Olaide N20 million in compensation. However, despite multiple appeals, including appearances before the National Assembly in 2022 and 2023, the police have failed to comply with the order.
“We’ve appeared before the National Assembly three times in 2022/2023 but the Nigerian police refuse to respond,” the family said. “The Chairman of the Petitions Committee at the National Assembly has granted our petition, ordering the Nigerian police to pay the compensation, but we’ve received no response because we lack effective representation.”
“We humbly appeal for your intervention in this matter. We seek justice, compensation, and protection for my brother. We believe that your influence and support could help bring attention to this case and ensure that justice is served,” the family added.
The family also expressed frustration with their lawyer, who they claim has been uncooperative and is demanding financial compensation that they cannot meet.
“Furthermore, my brother has been kidnapped multiple times, and we have evidence to support these claims. Unfortunately, our lawyer has been uncooperative, citing financial demands that we cannot meet,” the family said.
The power of attorney was used to deceive Olaide into signing a document, attempting to claim the entire compensation amount for himself. However, his brother was smart enough to catch them in the act.
“The power of attorney was used to deceive my blind brother into signing a document, attempting to claim the entire compensation amount for himself. However, I’m glad I was smart enough to catch them in the act. Since then, our lawyer has stopped responding to our calls,” Olaide’s brother said.
