The family of the late Omokhinyeme Okubo, hailing from Okarki community in Rivers State, has taken legal action by filing a case at the Federal High Court in Lagos to seek justice for what they allege as a violation of fundamental human rights.
The applicants, including the deceased’s father Aboye Okubo and brother Michael Okubo, have named several parties, including the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police (Lagos State), CSP Monday Awosinu, EXUS Pharmaceutical Ltd, and Manager Osakwe, as respondents in the lawsuit marked FHC/L/CS/68/24.
Omokhinyeme Okubo, a 36-year-old Microbiology graduate of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) and a father, reportedly passed away in July 2023 while in police custody at Ketu, Lagos State, where he was detained following allegations related to his employment with EXUS Pharmaceutical Ltd.
The family asserts that Omokhinyeme was subjected to torture leading to his death while in police custody, based on allegations brought forth by his employers regarding financial matters arising from his work as a representative in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The applicants seek the court’s declaration that the detention and subsequent death of Omokhinyeme constitute a grave violation of his right to life as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. They also argue that his arrest and detention without a court order, over allegations that did not amount to a capital offense, violated his rights to human dignity, personal liberty, and fair hearing.
Furthermore, they request relief for the unlawful actions against Omokhinyeme, including his arrest, detention, torture, and deprivation of food, which they claim were carried out without due process of law. The family demands an injunction to prevent further harassment or persecution by the respondents, as well as exemplary and punitive damages amounting to N800 million from the parties responsible for the alleged violations.
Additionally, the applicants seek an order compelling the authorities to return all belongings confiscated from Omokhinyeme before his detention in July 2023.