Nine Years After Conviction, Injured Abuja Man Still Awaits ?2.2 Million Court Award

Nearly nine years after an Abuja magistrate court convicted a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer over the assault of resident Chinedu Ogoke, the victim is still waiting to receive the compensation awarded to him.

The Karu-area Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory has now adjourned further proceedings concerning enforcement of the judgment until November 30, 2026.

The latest delay follows proceedings held on September 21 and September 23, according to sources familiar with the case. The matter was reportedly adjourned after the magistrate indicated an intention to proceed on leave.

For Ogoke and his family, the adjournment represents another setback in a legal battle that began with an alleged assault in 2015 and resulted in a conviction and compensation order in 2017.

The family is now appealing for intervention to ensure that the judgment is enforced and that Ogoke receives the money awarded by the court.

An Assault That Changed a Family's Life

The case dates back to May 16, 2015, when Ogoke was allegedly assaulted while clearing a drainage in front of his home in Jikwoyi Phase 4 Extension, Abuja.

According to his family, Ogoke was cleaning the drainage with his young son to prevent flooding when NSCDC officer Robert Ejeh allegedly confronted him and attempted to take the shovel he was using.

The family said a struggle followed.

They alleged that Ejeh's brother arrived carrying a heavy iron rod and struck Ogoke twice on his right leg, causing him to collapse.

According to the family's account, the assault continued after Ogoke fell. They alleged that Ejeh pinned him to the ground, held him by the throat, struck him repeatedly and stamped on his already injured leg as he called for help.

Neighbours eventually intervened and took Ogoke to hospital.

He was initially treated at General Hospital, Asokoro, before being referred for further examination and later transferred to Molli Medical Centre in Mararaba.

His family said doctors discovered extensive damage to the bones in his right leg and recommended emergency surgery.

The operation reportedly lasted more than five hours and involved approximately six specialists.

Although the surgery saved the leg, the family said Ogoke never fully recovered and has been unable to return to his previous livelihood.

The Court Rejected the Defendant's Account

Ejeh denied the allegations and presented a different version of events during the trial.

Court documents reviewed by Globalvoice show that Ejeh claimed he and Ogoke had a longstanding dispute and that Ogoke had previously threatened him.

According to the judgment, Ejeh maintained that Ogoke fell into a gutter while attempting to attack him with a shovel.

The charges were criminal conspiracy and voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

The prosecution called three witnesses, including Ogoke and his son.

Ogoke told the court that he was clearing the drainage when Ejeh grabbed his shovel, triggering a struggle. He alleged that Ejeh's brother subsequently struck him twice with an iron rod before Ejeh pinned him down and repeatedly stamped on his injured leg.

Ogoke's son corroborated his father's account, telling the court that he witnessed the confrontation and saw Ejeh's brother strike his father before Ejeh allegedly continued the assault.

After considering the evidence presented by both sides, the Magistrate Court found the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and convicted Ejeh.

Court Ordered ?2.225 Million Compensation

In a judgment delivered on September 29, 2017, the court sentenced Ejeh to three months' imprisonment or a ?20,000 fine for criminal conspiracy and two years' imprisonment or a ?30,000 fine for voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

The court also ordered compensation under Section 319 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Court records showed that Ejeh had previously paid ?200,000 towards Ogoke's medical expenses.

However, receipts tendered in court put the medical expenses at ?425,070.

The court therefore ordered Ejeh to pay the outstanding ?225,070.

It additionally awarded ?2 million for pain, suffering and the long-term consequences of the injuries.

The total compensation ordered was ?2,225,070.

Nearly nine years later, the family says the judgment remains largely unenforced.

From Judgment to Another Legal Battle

According to Ogoke's relatives, the victim repeatedly returned to court in an effort to enforce the judgment but encountered a series of delays.

They said they were informed that his previous lawyer's engagement had ended after judgment was delivered and that a new lawyer would be required to pursue enforcement.

Unable to immediately afford another lawyer, the family said the process stalled.

Ogoke eventually obtained new legal representation in September 2021.

But the legal costs did not end there.

The family said Ogoke borrowed ?200,000 from LAPO Microfinance Bank in February 2025 to continue pursuing enforcement of the judgment.

They said the loan carries monthly interest, adding another financial burden to a family already struggling with medical expenses and debt.

Relatives also told Globalvoice that the prolonged dispute has taken a severe emotional toll on Ogoke. They alleged that he has at times expressed suicidal thoughts because of his financial difficulties and frustration over his inability to access the compensation awarded by the court.

Court Seizes Vehicle, But Ownership Becomes the Next Dispute

There was a breakthrough in March 2025 when the court's Enforcement Unit reportedly seized a Toyota Corolla and other property allegedly belonging to Ejeh.

But the enforcement process soon encountered another obstacle.

According to the family, Ejeh returned to court and disputed ownership of the seized assets, claiming that the properties did not belong to him.

The family said the court subsequently required evidence establishing ownership before the assets could be auctioned to satisfy the judgment debt.

The relatives said they approached the Vehicle Inspection Office in Abuja to obtain records that could establish ownership of the Toyota Corolla.

They said they were advised to engage another lawyer before the information could be released—an expense the family says it can no longer comfortably afford.

Family Questions NSCDC's Response

The family is also questioning why the NSCDC has not, in their view, done more to ensure compliance with the court's judgment involving one of its officers.

They said they have exhausted much of their financial resources pursuing a judgment that was delivered almost nine years ago.

The relatives also expressed concern about the availability of the lawyer handling the enforcement proceedings, saying communication has become increasingly difficult.

The latest adjournment has compounded those frustrations.

Medical Condition Adds Urgency

While the legal battle continues, Ogoke's physical condition is reportedly deteriorating.

His family said doctors have advised that the metal implant inserted during his surgery should be removed to prevent further complications.

But the family says it cannot afford the procedure.

They fear that continued delay could eventually threaten the leg that surgeons fought to save more than a decade ago.

For Ogoke's family, the case has therefore evolved into a second battle—one fought not over whether the assault occurred, but over whether a judgment already delivered by a court will actually translate into compensation.

More than 11 years after the alleged assault and almost nine years after Ejeh's conviction, the family says Ogoke remains physically impaired, financially strained and still waiting for the court's ?2,225,070 award to reach him.

With the next hearing scheduled for November 30, his relatives are appealing for intervention to prevent further delays and ensure that the judgment is finally enforced.