Slain newspaper vendor’s family demands N500m from Gbajabiamila

The family of the newspaper vendor, Ifeanyichukwu Okereke, shot dead by a security aide to the speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has demanded N500m compensation.

The demand was contained in a letter by the family’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome dated November 23, 2020 and authorised by the deceased’s father, Okorie Okereke and his younger brother, Destiny Okereke.

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The family also asked Gbajabiamila to ensure immediate prosecution of the security aide, Abdullahi Hassan, “who went on a frolic of his own, clearly acted outside the purview of his duty and responsibility by shooting to death an innocent, harmless and armless citizen.

“That you adequately compensate the Okereke family with a modest sum of N500m only. This monetary demand can never adequately replace or take the place of their son, husband, brother, and breadwinner’s life. But it will at least mitigate the obvious trauma and hardship the premature demise of their irreplaceable breadwinner has placed on them,” the letter read in part.

The family also said it would take legal action against Gbajabiamila if their demands were not met within seven days after the letter.

Gbajabiamila had earlier visited the family and handed over the security aide to the Department of State Services for investigation and prosecution.

He had also promised to ensure the welfare of the deceased’s family.