Abuja court awards N15m to former Immigration officer over assault by superiors

A Federal High Court sitting in the Abuja has awarded the sum of N15 million as general damages to a former Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, officer, Mr Ime Unaowo Nta, following physical assaults, embarrassment and humiliation meted out to him by his superior officers about nine years ago.

Justice Bello Kawu made the award while delivering judgment in a suit numbered CV/1092/2016, on 24 September 2024.

The matter was between Ime Unaowo Nta, the claimant, and two defendants – namely Mohammed Zaik and Tamunopirik Auguma Virginia Oyedeji.

The court further awarded another N1 million against the plaintiffs as cost of the suit as well as additional N100,000 to the claimant as cost for medication and hospital bills following the physical assault.

The assault and humiliation happened on 2nd December 2015 in Abuja when the claimant, who was serving in the Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Command of the NIS at the time as Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, was in Abuja for promotion examination and screening.

The first defendant, Mohammed Zaik was Chief Superintendent while the second defendant, Tamunopirik Auguma Virginia Oyedeji, was comptroller and they both served at Sauka, Abuja headquarters.

Both had scorned Nta as a petition writer and whistleblower in the NIS and threw punches at him, thereby disrupting the examination, and resulting in bodily injuries.

Lebari Leesi and A. Alfa were counsels to the claimant, while M.A. Abubakar appeared for the defendants.

Abuja court awards N15m to former Immigration officer over assault by superiors