The association of the Yoruba self-determination Group, Ilana Omo Oodua, has expressed joy over the Oyo State High Court judgement ordering the Department of State Service(DSS) to pay N20 billion damages to a Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho.
The court had in a judgement awarded N20 billion against DSS for the “illegal” invasion of Igboo’s home in Ibadan on July 1.
Following the illegal invasion, Igboho sued the Federal Government and demanded ₦500 million as special damages for the damage done to his house and his car and another ₦500 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages.
Igboho listed the items to include, N2 million cash, one thousand Euros, travel documents including international passports belonging to him and his family members, gold jewelry and wristwatches, 2 mobile phones, and other items yet unknown but which were allegedly taken away by the secret police.
Reacting to the judgement, the spokesperson of Ilana Oodua, Maxwell Adeleye, in a statement titled ‘N20 billion Fine Against DSS: Verdict Symbolises Triumph of Light, Truth Over Gladiators of Illegalities – Ilana Omo Oodua’, said “We thank the judiciary for re-affirming that self-determination is one of the fundamental human rights of the citizens that cannot be subjugated.
“Our position is that this verdict symbolises the triumph of light and truth over darkness. Ighoho represents the light and truth, while the Nigerian state stands for illegalities.
“Our position now is that the Nigerian Government should be honourable by respecting the verdict of a court of competent jurisdiction. The #20billion damages ordered by the court to be paid to Ighoho by the DSS must be paid with immediate effect in the interest of peace.”