The victim of a July 13 bullion van accident, Mrs. Onome Akporode, is demanding N500 million from the management of a bank (name withheld) for its culpability in the crash.
Mrs. Akporode, a 31-year-old mother of four, was said to have been knocked down by a tipper trying to avoid a bullion van used by the bank, which was driving against traffic along Udu dual carriage road in Delta State. Counsel to the victim, Ikimi Oghenejabor, in a letter to the bank, explained that following the amputation of the left leg of the victim and consideration of same on her second leg for her to survive the said injuries, as well as the accompanying hardship and psychological trauma, a modest demand of N500 million was being sought to redress the plight of the victim.
Threatening to institute legal action against the bank if it failed to heed the demand of his client, Ikimi explained that he was insisting on the said amount from the bank as the bullion van and Mitsubishi escort vehicle involved in the accident, were both under the control and use of the bank and the police.
He also petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, for the manner the case was being investigated, citing attempts to let the suspects off the hook.
Demanding for a comprehensive investigation into the incident, Ikimi said: “We have written to Delta State Attorney General seeking to take over prosecution of the case, in partnership with Udu branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.
“Also, Delta State Commissioner of Police has promised us that after an in-house room trial of the policemen involved in the incident, they would be tried for charges brought against them.”
By Dike Onwuamaeze
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