From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
A Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi has awarded the sum of N800 million against the Nigerian Army and 11 others over the brutal murder of Sixtus Terfa Akure in North Bank area of Makurdi, the state capital.
Sixtus Akure, a Senior Inspector of taxes attached to the Benue State Board of Internal Revenue, (BIRS), Gazetted Inspection Point near the “C” Division Police Station, in the North Bank area of Makurdi, was found lifeless by the roadside near Aper Aku Estate in North Bank, Makurdi, a day after he was abducted at his duty post on Saturday January 15, 2022 and whisked away by men of the Nigerian Army.
On March 19th, 2022, a Corona Inquest into the gruesome murder of Sixtus Akure commenced at the Chief Magistrate Court 1, Makurdi, with the late Mike Utsaha and Desmond Tor Wendeh as counsels to the BIRS.
The Corona Inquest found the Nigerian Army culpable in the death of Sixtus Akure.
In a judgment, the trial Judge, Justice Theresa Shija, dismissed the preliminary objection raised by the counsel to the defendants and determined the case on its merit. Justice Shija awarded judgment in favour of wife of the deceased BIRS staff, Catherine Akure.
Justice Shija ordered the Nigerian Army and all the respondents to pay the sum of N800 million to Mrs Catherine Akure for violating the fundamental right to life of her husband.
The court further ordered BIRS to immediately give a permanent and pensionable appointment to Mrs Catherine Akure.
The then BIRS Chairman, had given Mimi Orubibi Mrs Sixtus Akure a casual appointment as a BIRS staff after the death of her husband.
Reacting to the judgment, Mrs Akure appreciated the judiciary for being the last hope of the common man.
She commended the immediate past chairman of BIRS, Mrs Mimi Adzape-Orubibi for standing by her and the family throughout their trying time, describing her as a mother.
She equally commended her lawyer, Desmond Wendeh for his legal services and support and disclosed that the money awarded to her by the court will be used in catering for her children and the surviving mother of her husband.