The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to pay N1.12 billion in compensation to the family of Mike Madu, who was killed by an INEC driver in a tragic accident in Imo State. The ruling, delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Friday, mandates INEC to pay the compensation, along with 10% annual interest from the date of the judgment until the full amount is settled.
In addition to the financial compensation, the court also ordered INEC, its Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, and other relevant parties involved, to send a formal letter of condolence to the Madu family. Justice Ekwo further directed that the costs associated with the legal proceedings should be covered by the defendants.
The lawsuit was filed by Augustine Madu, the brother of the deceased, on behalf of the Umudurugwu, Umuokwe, Awo-Omamma community in Oru-East Local Government Area of Imo State. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1074/2019, named INEC, its Chairman, the INEC Commissioner in Abuja, and INEC driver Hassan Abdul as defendants.
The case stemmed from the unfortunate incident on June 16, 2019, when Mike Madu, a successful businessman, was killed in a head-on collision on the Itobe-Anyigba Expressway in Kogi State. Madu, who frequently traveled between China and Nigeria for business purposes, was escorting two Chinese investors to explore investment opportunities in the Enugu State Free Trade Zone. While traveling, the Lexus vehicle carrying Madu and the investors collided with a Toyota V8 Land Cruiser, driven by Abdul, who was operating the vehicle under the INEC’s auspices.
The police investigation, finalized in July 2019, concluded that Abdul’s reckless speeding was the primary cause of the fatal crash. The Toyota Land Cruiser swerved into the opposite lane, causing the collision, which resulted in the deaths of Madu and one of the Chinese investors, Huang Hia Yan. The survivors, including the second Chinese investor, Qu Xin Dong, were taken to Holley Memorial Hospital for treatment.
In his statement of claim, Augustine Madu expressed the profound loss his family experienced, noting that his late brother was the primary provider for his immediate and extended family, as well as his wife, Xiaojuan Li, and their son in China. He emphasized the lack of empathy from INEC, as they did not show concern or offer compensation after the tragic incident.
Throughout the legal proceedings, the Madu family presented several witnesses, including police officer Josephine Emumwen, to support their claims. Despite the defendants failing to appear in court on several occasions, the court ultimately sided with the plaintiff, ordering the substantial compensation for the wrongful death of Mike Madu.
