Police killing: Families demand N1bn damages from Manko

Families of two suspected kidnappers, who were allegedly killed in a Lagos police custody, Messrs Philip Tomi and Joel Wolomo, have asked a Lagos High Court, Ikeja to award N1bn damages against the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, and two of his subordinates.

The families are also asking the court, presided over by Justice Yetunde Idowu, to direct “investigation and prosecution” of Manko and two others by the “appropriate agencies of government”.

Counsel for the families, Mr. Seliwei Baidi, want these fresh prayers granted after the police filed an application opposing a contempt suit earlier filed against Manko.

The police, represented by Mr. Friday Igbinosa, on June 6, 2013, had confirmed the family members’ fear that the suspects might have been killed in custody.

Igbinosa, on the day the court was to deliver ruling on the contempt suit filed against Manko and two others, filed an application giving excuse for their late response to the suit and also declared that the suspects died during investigation.

The police counsel said the suspects confessed to the crime of kidnapping and were shot by their gang members when policemen escorted them to their hideout for further investigation.

Baidi had therefore filed a fresh application seeking the court’s permission to substitute the deceased suspects’ names – Mr. Philip Tomi and Mr. Joel Wolomo – with Tomi’s brother, Harvest Tomi.

Harvest Tomi, who is now suing on behalf of the “families of late Philip Tomi and Joel Wolomo,” joined Manko, Supol Terry (O/C Anti-Robbery Squad Ikeja) and Sergeant Eric Akinmuyisitan (the Investigating Police Officer), as the defendants.

In addition to the N1bn damages and prosecution of persons culpable in the killing of the suspects, the families want the court to declare that “the death of the original applicants by the respondents” was carried out without lawful order of court.

The hearing on the matter, which was stalled on Wednesday due to the judge’s absence, was adjourned till September 26.

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