Court Orders INEC to Pay ₦1.12bn Compensation to Family of Accident Victim

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to pay ₦1.12 billion to the family of Mike Madu, who was killed by an INEC driver.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, delivering judgment on Friday, ruled that the compensation must be paid with 10% interest per annum until full payment is made.

The court also directed INEC, its Chairman, and other defendants to send a formal condolence letter to the bereaved family as part of the ruling.

The case was filed by Augustine Madu on behalf of the Umudurugwu, Umuokwe, Awo-Omamma community in Oru-East Local Government Area of Imo State.

The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1074/2019, listed INEC, its Chairman, the INEC Commissioner in Abuja, and driver Hassan Abdul as the first to fourth defendants.

The accident occurred on June 16, 2019, when Abdul, an INEC driver, lost control of his Toyota Land Cruiser, causing a fatal collision in Kogi State.

Mike Madu, a businessman frequently traveling between China and Nigeria, was escorting Chinese investors to the Enugu Free Trade Zone when the accident happened.

The Toyota SUV, occupied by Abdul and a police escort, swerved into the opposite lane, colliding head-on with Madu’s Lexus, which was being driven by Ega Chukwudi.

The Land Cruiser somersaulted and caught fire, while the Lexus suffered severe damage. Madu and one Chinese investor, Huang Hia Yan, died from their injuries.

Survivors were rushed to Holley Memorial Hospital, while the deceased were later moved to the Kogi State Specialist Hospital Mortuary for post-mortem examination.

A police report dated July 16, 2019, concluded that Abdul’s reckless speeding was the cause of the accident, which led the family to seek legal redress.

Augustine Madu told the court that his late brother was the family’s breadwinner and provided for his Chinese wife, Xiaojuan Li, and their child.

He expressed disappointment that INEC had shown no concern or remorse for Mike’s death and had refused to offer any compensation to the grieving family.

During the trial, the plaintiff presented two witnesses, including a police officer. The court found the defendants liable and ruled in favor of the Madu family.