Family Of  Shuaibu, Allegedly, Tortured To Death At Airforce  Reference Hospital, Demands  N550 Million Compensation

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The family  members of  Yusuf Shuaibu, allegedly  killed by a Nigerian Airforce, NAF, personnel have slammed a N550 million suit against his suspected killer and the NAF .

The Source reports that Shuaibu, 23, a casual employee of the Nigerian Airforce Reference Hospital Kano died on May 1, 2024 after he was, allegedly, severely  tortured by one Sergeant Aminu Ibrahim.

In an originating summon filed at the National Industrial Court, Kano Division, the deceased family is seeking a declaration by the Court that “the severe physical assault, battery and torture of Yusuf Shuaibu by Sergeant Ibrahim, in the course of of Shuaibu’s employment on May 1,  2024,  at 465 NAF Hospital Kano  by several punches ,head-butting and marching him to unconsciousness, actions  medically established to have caused traumatic blunt head injury ,cerebral oedemic and diffuse axonal injury, thereby leading to the deceased’s untimely death constitute a violation of the deceased’s fundamental rights to life as guaranteed under section  33 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 ( as amended).”

In the originating summon filed by A. A. Hakima and Co. the deceased family is  also seeking a declaration that the Respondents’ act of forcefully subjecting the deceased to compulsory duty/work at the 465 NAF Hospital Kano after the deceased’s working hours amounted to forced labour outlawed by section 34 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 ( as amended).

Respondents’ act of preventing the deceased from leaving and exiting the premises of the 465 NAF Hospital Kano ,after the deceased’s working hours amounted to a flagrant violation of the deceased’s right to freedom of movement protected by sections 35 and 40 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 ( as amended).

Based on the above reasons, the deceased’s family is, therefore, seeking”  an order of the Court awarding it the sum of  N5 ,000,000( five hundred million ) payable by the Respondents jointly and severally as compensation and damages for the violation of the deceased’s rights as enshrined in sections 33,34,and 40 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999( as amended).

“An order directing the Respondents jointly and severally to pay the sum of N50 million as exemplary damages to deter similar acts of violence and abuse of power in the future by the Respondents .

“An order directing the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) to subject the 1st Respondent to disciplinary action in strict accordance with the laws and regulations governing the 1st Respondent’s instant action.

“An order directing the Respondents to issue a public apology to the deceased’s family, and any further order as the Honourable Court may deem fit to grant in the interest of justice”.