Enugu Human Rights lawyer serves pre action notice on Police, AG, others, demands N1b compensation

A human rights lawyer, Olu Omotayo has served a notice for legal action on the commissioner of police in Enugu state, the state Attorney General, an Enugu state, Citizen Chibueze and his wife, Onyinye.

The matter is on an alleged attempted murder on the lawyer by the couple, Chibueze and his wife, Onyinye; who on December 15 2025, in an Enugu estate where the couple held a party on the street blocking entrances to the residencies.

Omotayo through a civil rights group had written a petition to the police asking for investigation on how the couple threatened his life and deliberately drove his car to hit Omotayo who had to jumped a gutter to evade being crushed by the 3rd defendant (Chibueze) who was already drunk.

According to the petition filed by Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, the couple had verbally threatened to kill Omotayo before the physical attempt on the rights lawyer.

Nwanguma said that Omotayo who is the President of the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), reported that the couple made the attempt after they unlawfully obstructed traffic and blocked the residents' street road for a family party.

Despite the provocation, Omotayo was said to have parked his car far away and managed to go home but came at later hour to drive his car home to save it from theft.

It was on the process that the accused Chibueze shouted aggressively at Omotayo, allegedly saying, “Oga get away from that place or I get you crushed and dump you at the hospital.” 

Omotayo was said to have responded calmly, but that rather than de-escalate, Mr. Chibueze and others in his vehicle allegedly rained insults and curses on him and appeared poised to attack him physically, until some guests intervened and pleaded with Mr. Chibueze to allow peace.

"As Mr. Chibueze reversed to give way to the oncoming vehicle, he suddenly accelerated aggressively, driving towards Mr. Omotayo in a manner that suggested a deliberate attempt to crush him. Mr. Omotayo, but for his vigilance and quick reflexes in jumping into a roadside gutter, he would have been killed," Nwanguma petitioned.

RULAAC said it views the incident as a deliberate attempt to knock down a citizen with a motor vehicle, which constitutes a serious criminal offence and an extreme violation of the right to life guaranteed under Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). 

"The conduct described also amounts to a threat to life and reckless endangerment. Equally troubling is the unauthorised blockade of a public road, which violates residents’ right to freedom of movement guaranteed under Section 41 of the Constitution. 

"The Enugu State Government has repeatedly prohibited the obstruction of public roads for private events, recognising the security and safety risks such actions pose. No individual or group has the lawful authority to deny citizens access to their homes or to convert public roads to private use.

"RULAAC is further concerned by information indicating that the said couple are allegedly notorious for rights-violating conduct in the area, often acting with the backing of associates, thereby creating fear and insecurity among residents."

Nwanguma demanded that the Enugu State Police Command immediately invite and investigate Mr. Chibueze, Mrs. Onyinye, and any other persons involved in the incident of 15 December 2025.

He also wants the Police to conduct a thorough, impartial, and professional investigation into the alleged attempted murder and threats to the life of Olu Omotayo and ensure that any person found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He also wants the police to take concrete steps to guarantee the safety and security of Mr. Omotayo and his family and prevent any further intimidation or reprisals; and enforce existing directives against the unlawful obstruction of public roads, to deter future violations and protect public order.

Arising from the petition, Omotayo has therefore approached the court to among other things to determine that the action of the couple constitute flagrant violation of Section 33(1) and 41(1) Of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended) and Articles 4, and 12(1), of the African Charter on Human & Peoples Rights, (Ratification and Enforcement Act) Cap. A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

He also demanded N1, 000,000 000 (One Billion Naira) compensation against the Proposed 3rd and 4th Defendants for subjecting the Proposed Plaintiff to both physical and psychological torture and violating his constitutional right of freedom of movement.