Justice at Last: Court Orders Senator to Pay N100k to Newspaper Vendor for Slapping him

A High Court in Uyo has ordered a former senator from Akwa Ibom State, Anietie Okon, to pay N100,000 as damages to a newspaper vendor, Ndifreke Etim, whom he assaulted last year in Uyo. Mr. Etim, who walks around the city of Uyo, hawking newspapers, had told the court that Mr. Okon slapped him multiple times inside Government House, Uyo, in September last year. The assault occurred around the state banquet hall where the vendor had gone with the hope of making quick sales during the swearing-in of a new chairman of Akwa Ibom State Council of Traditional Rulers.

Mr. Etim claimed that three able-bodied men, who may have been Mr. Okon’s bodyguards, stood by to watch as the former senator kept slapping him.
“When he finished slapping me, he accused me of stealing his wallet. But God knows I am not a thief, I sell newspapers to take care of myself and my family,” Mr. Etim had said  in November, shortly after the incident.
“He didn’t even search me to see if I had his wallet on me or not.” The victim, backed by the Newspaper Distributors Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State chapter, filed a civil suit against the former senator.
“I didn’t really think of reporting the case to the police; I wanted it sorted out in court,” said the vendor.
The court, presided over by Justice Winifred Effiong, held that the action of the former senator was degrading, and that it was against Mr. Etim’s right to the dignity of his person as guaranteed by Section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as the African Charter on human and people’s right.
The court, besides granting an order that Mr. Okon should pay N100,000 as damages to Mr. Etim, also granted an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the former senator or his agents from further breaching of the applicant’s fundamental human rights. It also ordered the former senator to pay additional N50, 000 as cost of the litigation to Mr. Etim.
“I am glad that the court has been bold enough to tell the senator that what he did against me was wrong,” Mr. Etim said “It’s not about the money.” When contacted, the former senator, Mr. Okon, said he was yet to get a copy of the court judgment. Mr. Etim was represented in the case by Ndianabasi Udofia, while Mr. Okon was represented by Esther Archibong.

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Posted: at 14-12-2016 01:22 PM (7 years ago) | Addicted Hero

The thing is that the foolish senator will not honour the Court's decision. They don't care

Posted: at 14-12-2016 01:31 PM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Ok

Posted: at 14-12-2016 01:43 PM (7 years ago) | Upcoming

justice will be when you allow the paper vendor to slap the senator back and record the incidence,you can't just trample on everyone because you wealthy...

Posted: at 14-12-2016 01:56 PM (7 years ago) | Newbie

 

Posted: at 14-12-2016 02:53 PM (7 years ago) | Hero

This court fine is a mere slap on the wrist. The senator is a multi millionaire, which caused his puffy head to abuse common citizen who was hocking newspaper to take care of his family. The senator should have been made to pay at least ten million naira (N10,000000) to change the life of the vendor to some degree. This 100,000 cannot get him out of poverty; it's back to square one.

Posted: at 14-12-2016 03:52 PM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac

justice in action!!

Posted: at 14-12-2016 05:40 PM (7 years ago) | Upcoming

Anyway, I am carefully observing how he is going to comply with this!

Posted: at 14-12-2016 11:19 PM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac

YOU CALLED THIS JUSTICE? THE SENATOR TO PAY 100,000 TO THE VENDOR HE SLAPEDTHIS IS BENDS JUSTICE.
   IT DID NOT COST THE SENATOR ANYTHING. NEXT TIME HE WILL DO IT AGAIN

Posted: at 14-12-2016 11:52 PM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac

poultry sum of money as damages. though the essential has been taken care of justice for the claimant

Posted: at 15-12-2016 10:57 AM (7 years ago) | Hero