The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Anambra 2021 governorship election, Dr Godwin Maduka and ten others have been sued by five people who are alleging violation of their fundamental human rights.
The five applicants who instituted the action against the respondents are Dr (Mrs) Maureen Igwike, Joshua Iheukwumere, Simeon Okeke, Barr Basil Igwike and Jospeh Anulobi. The first three persons are asking for N100,000,000 (one hundred million naira) each while the last two are asking N10,000, 000 (ten million naira each).
All five are asking for additional N200,000 (two hundred thousand naira) as costs of suits against all the respondents.
The respondents in the suit filed in the High Court of Anambra State holden at the Orumba South Judicial Divisio, at Umunze include Barr Kenneth Maduka, Kingsley Maduka, Emeka Adincheozo, Nnaemeka Nwaele, Ekene Nwankwo, Nichola Eze, Anthony Asike Nwele, Ndubuisi Nnadi, Chimaije Nwafor, Buchi Nwafor, and Godwin Maduka.
They are suing jointly and severally for exemplary, special and general damages for the unwarranted violation of the fundamental rights of the applicants.
They are alleging that the violent attack they experienced leading to attacks on their persons and properties at wee hours of 7th January 2021 was at the behest of the Dr. Godwin Maduka
It would be recalled that earlier reports had indicated that when this case was brought before the police commissioner in the state at the time no action was taken against the suspects.
The matter was further taken to the office of the Inspector General of Police but up till the point of the suit no reasonable response has been received.
The applicants are further reporting in a chat with the News Echo correspondent that the respondents have failed to respond to police appointment on three different occasions frustrating all their efforts travelling from Anambra to Abuja.
The police they claimed in addition was yet to take action to compel them to respond to the charges.
It was consequent on this they stated that they have to exercise the option of the court to enforce their fundamental human rights.
The attempt to change the name of the community from Nkerehi to Umuchukwu allegedly at the instance of Dr. Maduka is at the root of all the crises in the area. Maduka it is alleged is opposed to anyone resisting the name change.