A student of Osun State College of Education, Mr. Adebayo Olaide, has filed a N100 million suit against Inspector-General of Police, a policeman, Mr. Mukailu Gujuba, with number 768142 and three others for loss of his eyes and violation of his rights.
In the suit filed at an Oyo State High Court, the applicant wants the court to determine whether the alleged conduct of the third respondent, Gujuba, who used a stick and the butt of his rifle to hit his eyes was lawful or not.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged crime was committed at Alagbayun Village in the Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area of the state.
Counsel to the applicant, Mr. Peter Idowu, in the suit marked M/554/11, stated that the money demanded was the general, exemplary and aggravated damages for the violation of his client’s fundamental human rights which resulted in loss of the left eye of the applicant and also a severe damage to his right eye.
He expatiated that the alleged offence was committed when his client was on his motorcycle. He said his client met the accused at a check point at Alagbayun with sergeant Charles Omonia, sgt Hammed Balogun Ajolasi Bunmi, Abdulmalik Hassan, Morakinyo Joseph , Julius Apin, Abtrous Daniel, Ayeni Sunday, Akogun Bright and Akaogba Saso.
He submitted that after his client had been checked by some of the policemen and asked to go, the third respondent, Gujuba allegedly swung a long stick across the road hitting him in his left eye.
After alleged initial acceptance by the third respondent to be responsible, he denied. But in his counter affidavit filed by his counsel, O.A. Kupolati, Gujuba declared that it was an accident adding that he was hanging his rifle on his shoulder and while trying to cross road and avoid a collision with the applicant, his riffle accidentally hit the applicant in eye.
Gujuba said to show it was not an intentional action, he visited the applicant at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and his house. He explained further that it was true he promised to pay the sum of N200, 000 to the claimant to mitigate the pains and has paid N193,000 to him.
Justice Mashud Abass, has fixed October 17 for hearing.
-Coutesy Vanguard NGR