Benue Court Orders Nigerian Army To Compensate ₦800 Million For Killing BIRS Staff

A Benue State High Court in Makurdi has ordered the Nigerian Army and 10 others to pay ₦800 million in damages for the brutal murder of Sixtus Akure, a senior tax officer with the Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS).

According to the Daily Post, Justice Theresa Shija issued the ruling three years after Mr. Akure passed away.

Akure was killed in 2022 after being abducted from his duty post by soldiers. His body was found near Aper Aku Estate in Makurdi a day after his abduction.

The case, brought to court by former BIRS Chairman, Mrs. Mimi Orubibi, began with a Coroner Inquest in March 2022. The inquest found the Nigerian Army responsible for Mr. Akure’s death.

Mrs. Orubibi filed the lawsuit on behalf of Mr. Akure’s family. Defendants included the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Army Council, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Commanding Officer of the 72 Special Forces in Makurdi, Captain Osita Obe (then adjutant of 72 Special Forces), and five soldiers identified as the perpetrators.

The Nigerian Army’s counsel, Isah Shaibu, contested the suit, but the court dismissed their preliminary objection. Justice Shija ruled in favor of Mr. Akure’s widow, Catherine Akure, ordering the Nigerian Army and other respondents to pay ₦800 million for violating her husband’s right to life.

Additionally, the court directed BIRS to provide Mrs. Akure with a permanent and pensionable position. Previously, Mrs. Orubibi had given her a casual appointment after her husband’s death.

Reacting to the judgment, Mrs. Akure expressed gratitude to the judiciary for upholding justice. She thanked the former BIRS Chairman, Mrs. Mimi Orubibi, for her unwavering support during the family’s ordeal, describing her as a mother.

She also appreciated her lawyer, Desmond Wendeh, for his legal services and support, stating that the compensation would be used to care for her children and her husband’s surviving mother.