Press Release: Setting the Record Straight on Appeal Court Order Of Payment Of 30million Naira By Amotekun to Oluwarotimi Oluwasegun.
The Office of the Attorney General of Ondo State and Commissioner for Justice wishes to address a deeply concerning and misleading narrative surrounding the recent proceedings at the Court of Appeal in Akure, related to the judgment awarding N30 million to Oluwarotimi Oluwasegun, a commercial motorcyclist who was tragically shot in the leg by agents of the Amotekun Security Network two years ago. It is crucial to clarify that the Court of Appeal has not yet issued a final verdict on this appeal.
On November 19, 2024, during the proceedings at the Appeal Court of Nigeria, Akure Division, a significant issue arose from a minor clerical error regarding the suit number on the Notice of Appeal. The number “AK/411/2022” was erroneously recorded as “HID/411/2021.”
In a display of judicial prudence, the Court granted the appellants the chance to withdraw the erroneous notice and submit a corrected version. This procedural correction should not be misconstrued as a defeat. The Court of Appeal recognized the appellants’ oral application, struck out the flawed Notice of Appeal, and allowed a seven-day window for the necessary corrections to be made.
Regrettably, after this court session, the opposing counsel misrepresented the outcome to the media, falsely claiming that the Court of Appeal had affirmed the lower court’s judgment and imposed a N30 million liability on the appellant. Such a narrative obscures the truth—that the court merely permitted a corrective measure, not a final ruling.
It is imperative to address the inaccuracies propagated by counsel to Mr. Oluwasegun, who reportedly informed PREMIUM TIMES and other outlets that “a panel of justices of the court affirmed the award of N30 million to Mr. Oluwasegun after striking out the appeal filed by the Ondo State Government.” Such statements not only misrepresent the court’s actions but also undermine the integrity of our judicial process.
In our unwavering commitment to uphold the truth and preserve the honor of the judiciary, we are actively considering reporting this misleading account to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).
This situation serves as a poignant reminder of the vital importance of procedural integrity and the profound impact that narratives hold within the legal sphere. It underscores the necessity for meticulous attention to detail and the public’s vigilance in the pursuit of justice.
As we continue to challenge the High Court’s judgment at the Court of Appeal, we will refrain from engaging with Mr. Oluwasegun’s lawyer on social media, recognizing that such platforms are not suitable for serious legal discourse.
O. A. Akeredolu, Esq.
For: Attorney General of Ondo State & Commissioner for Justice
