The Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, has awarded N5 million as damages against the Nigeria Police Force over abuse of Tola Azeez, a woman in Iwo local government, Osun State.
It could be recalled that in April 2020 a video went viral where two police officers were caught on camera assaulting one Tola Azeez, in Odo Ori Market in Iwo. Tola Azeez was trying to buy drugs for her relatives at a pharmacy.
After much agitations, condemnation, and call for justice, the Nigerian police later identified the erring officers as inspector Ikuesan Taiwo and corporal Abass Ibrahim. The two policemen were tried and found guilty of the charges against them and been dismissed. Their dismissal was early announced on Tuesday, April 21st, 2020.
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To seek justice for Tola Azeez, a lawyer known as Pelumi Olajengbesi and his team Abiodun Sonaike Esq and IfeoluwaPelumi Wole-OLaleye Esq filed a suit against the Nigerian Police.
The police counsel, F.B Osei, argued that Messrs Taiwo and Ibrahim were agents of the Nigeria Police Force and that the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector General of Police could not be held liable for the acts and omission of its officers. This was countered by Mr. Olajensgbesi who said the officers carried out the assault during an official assignment as agents of the police force.
In his judgment on Monday, Ayo Emmanuel resolved the matter and declared 5 million damages against the Nigerian Police Force to be paid to Tola Azeez.