A Non-Governmental Organisation, Human Rights and Empowerment Projects, has sued the Federal Government for N100bn over the alleged killing of scores of people by herdsmen at Nimbo community of the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.
President Muhammadu Buhari, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Inspector General of Police are among the respondents in the suit.
The suit filed by the counsel for the group, Mr. Francis Muoneke, is expected to be heard on May 16, 2016.The suit number FHC/EN/CS/59/2016 was filed before a Federal High Court in Enugu presided over by Justice Rosemary Oghoghorie.
A copy of the suit made available to our correspondent in Awka sought a declaration that the killings of innocent citizens in Nimbo amounted to a violation of the right to life.
It added that the failure of the respondent (the Federal Government) to protect lives and property amounted to a direct liability on the part of the respondents.
The group also asked the court to compel the respondents to identify the victims of the attack for the purpose of paying adequate compensation to their families.
It further prayed the court “to compel the respondents to investigate the killings with a view to apprehending and prosecuting the perpetrators.”
The group submitted that the failure of government to discharge its duty in protecting the lives of the citizens made it necessary for the families of the victims of the massacre to be compensated.
The Nimbo killings took place on April 25, 2016.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishop of Abeokuta, Most Reverend Peter Odetoyinbo, has urged security agencies to expose and prosecute the sponsors of armed Fulani herdsmen in the country.
He said this on Sunday during an interactive session with journalists at the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Cathedral, Abeokuta, Ogun State to mark the 50th anniversary of World Communications Day.
The cleric bemoaned the recent attack on Nimbo, a community in Enugu State, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
He condemned the frequent attacks on farmers and the destruction of their farmlands by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Odetoyinbo also called on law enforcement agencies to be alive to their responsibilities.
He said, “Some highly placed Nigerians know the sponsors and masterminds of the killer herders but refused to reveal their identities.
“I grew up to know herdsmen, they only had small sticks. Now they are empowered herdsmen with AK-47. These people are nomads, who gave guns to them? That’s the question. And who asked them to use it in that manner? That’s another question. And how did they know how to use it in that manner?
“If you give a mechanic on the streets AK-47, he doesn’t know how to use it. But these ones (herdsmen) are trained. Who are those sponsoring them? I know in Nigeria some people know them and they know why.
“Who knew that the money meant for security was shared if not for President Muhammadu Buhari? Who knew that somebody was taking N500m every month aside from his salary? Some people knew but they refused to talk. Let politicians say the truth; let those who are behind evil stop and all of us will enjoy.”
Odetoyinbo, however, urged Nigerians to be patient with President Buhari, adding that his anti-corruption war would bring great gains to the country.
He commended the National Assembly and the Presidency for finally passing the budget.
He said, “Anyone who wants to be a good administrator must be very patient. But nobody can satisfy Nigerians. If you are too fast, they would complain. If you’re too slow, they would say this one is too slow. But whatever it is, I think he (Buhari) is focused and he wants to achieve something.
“So, my appeal to Nigerians is that they should be patient. Once you are patient, you will understand where he’s going. Now, the budget has been passed. Who are those going to implement it? Nigerians! We pray that the budget would have an effect on the standard of living of Nigerians.”
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