Parents of two-year-old boy, Ivan Omhonria, wey NDLEA operatives shoot and kill, and his younger brother, Eromonsele, wey dey severely injured, don demand N2 billion in compensation from National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
This tragic incident happen last year, on Thursday, 13 July, 2023, in Delta State when Eromonsele, who be just one year old then, get shot in the eye by NDLEA operatives. The family appear before House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions on Wednesday, seeking justice and compensation for the loss and the deteriorating health of their surviving son.
Mr Fidelis Omhonria, the father of the boys, express deep frustration that NDLEA neglect the family since the incident occur over a year ago. He note that his son’s health worsen due to inadequate medical treatment. The family’s lawyer, Mathew Edaghese, reveal that they petition the House after NDLEA fail to respond to their demand for N2 billion in compensation.
Muniat Adeleye, representing NDLEA and serving as Assistant Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, claim that an agreement had been reached with the family for N25 million, to be paid in five monthly tranches. She add that an initial payment of N5 million had already been made. However, when asked to provide a signed copy of the agreement, Adeleye admit that no formal document had been signed, a revelation that anger the committee.
The Committee Chairman, Mike Etaba, demand that NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd) appear in person at the next hearing, set for October 22, 2024, to address the Committee directly. “I hope you appreciate the gravity of what we are saying. The whole world is watching us,” Etaba say.
Fidelis Omhonria also recount how the NDLEA Chairman personally send him N5 million after expressing regret over the incident. However, he emphasize that this was a personal gesture and not a formal compensation agreement. Edaghese, the family’s lawyer, criticize the NDLEA’s handling of the case. “We demanded N2bn as compensation, but they ignored our demand. A life has been lost, and another child’s future is threatened. This is not just a game, this family deserves justice,” he say.
