A High Court in Uyo has ordered a former senator from Akwa Ibom State, Anietie Okon, to pay N100,000 as damages to a newspaper vendor, Ndifreke Etim, whom he assaulted last year in Uyo.

Mr. Etim, who walks around the city of Uyo, hawking newspapers, had told the court that Mr. Okon slapped him multiple times inside Government House, Uyo, in September last year.The assault occurred around the state banquet hall where the vendor had gone with the hope of making quick sales during the swearing-in of a new chairman of Akwa Ibom State Council of Traditional Rulers.

Mr. Etim claimed that three able-bodied men, who may have been Mr. Okon’s bodyguards, stood by to watch as the former senator kept slapping him.
“When he finished slapping me, he accused me of stealing his wallet.

But God knows I am not a thief, I sell newspapers to take care of myself and my family,” Mr. Etim had told newsmen in November, shortly after the incident.
“He didn’t even search me to see if I had his wallet on me or not.”

The victim, backed by the Newspaper Distributors Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State chapter, filed a civil suit against the former senator.
“I didn’t really think of reporting the case to the police; I wanted it sorted out in court,” said the vendor.

The court, presided over by Justice Winifred Effiong, held that the action of the former senator was degrading, and that it was against Mr. Etim’s right to the dignity of his person as guaranteed by Section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as the African Charter on human and people’s right.

The court, besides granting an order that Mr. Okon should pay N100,000 as damages to Mr. Etim, also granted an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the former senator or his agents from further breaching of the applicant’s fundamental human rights.

It also ordered the former senator to pay additional N50, 000 as cost of the litigation to Mr. Etim.

“I am glad that the court has been bold enough to tell the senator that what he did against me was wrong,” Mr. Etim told newsmen. “It’s not about the money.”

When contacted, the former senator, Mr. Okon, said he was yet to get a copy of the court judgment.

Mr. Etim was represented in the case by Ndianabasi Udofia, while Mr. Okon was represented by Esther Archibong

Source: http://nigerianewsnow.com.ng/2016/12/14/court-orders-senator-to-pay-damages-for-slapping-newspaper-vendor/

They paid him just 150 thousand naira because he's a commoner. I really pity average Nigerians.

ISDKING:
They paid him just 150 thousand naira because he's a commoner. I really pity average Nigerians.

At least he got justice. Better than not getting the justice he deserved.

Ok

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW

Too bad
100k for physical assault and battery..

The newspaper Union is a good Union...

Stupid Arrogant polithifians..
The morafuckers become demi-gods at every little position they hold.

ISDKING:
They paid him just 150 thousand naira because he's a commoner. I really pity average Nigerians.

lol....how much should he have paid him? #50million for getting slapped?

Mtchew! Chicken change for hot n sizzling slap. U know those kind police slap wey dey burst brain

He would have paid more than that if the vendor happens to be a famous person. I pray the money is even paid despite th senator attitude of not seeing court judgement

A celebrity was paid N10m damages when she filed a suit against a media house for defamation.

A below average citizen, who got multiple slaps hot enough to boil his brain, is getting just N150,000.


Who says humans are equal?!

50k for litigation that has lasted for a year

This is a way of telling the poor to steer clear the Law Court...

Why not pay him something like #55m-#100m that the senator can feel it not #100k that he can spend one night in a bar

The sin'ator got served!

Nice one

DropShot:

At least he got justice. Better than not getting the justice he deserved.

come let me slap u n give u 150k

Ok

WHAT IS 100K TO THE SENATOR?
THIS IS NOT JUSTICE, HE SHOULD BE FINE MINIMUM N100 MILLION (THAT WILL AFFECT HIS FINANCE)
AND MAKE PUBLIC APOLOGY PHYSICALLY AND ON NATIONAL NEWSPAPER.

The judgement is not punitive enough. A common councillor would conveniently pay this.He should have been made to pay heavily for this.If the case had dragged for that long in court,the poor man would have spent close to a million naira prosecuting the case.

I am sad by this judgement. 150k for what?
Our judiciary seriously need "cleansing". There is nothing fair in this judgement; justice isn't well served!

senator come slap me

I wan chop slap

if na iforun
count me out

That's all. I could pay this. I the judgement so small you might as well have done criminal suit let him stay in jail or probation. Better yet beat politican like market theif. Till his secruity pulls you off of him.

chicken change

My guys don dey find senator slappers.... where them dey na.. Let d slapping continue and the money continue flowing

Mr ETIM, what do you mean by it's not about the Money?" Oya carry am come give me na!!! for a news paper vendor, 100k is so so juicy!!! flex your money and stop saying what you don't mean in this recession. As for that senator, he'll can't the 100k directly from his wallet and pay! I know! he should have been made to pay 3million and above! What is 100k to a former senator! chai! that judge will not kill me!!!

Abeg, wey the Senator? My lawyer say mak I collect slap from him.

matrix199:
A celebrity was paid N10m damages when she filed a suit against a media house for defamation.

A below average citizen, who got multiple slaps hot enough to boil his brain, is getting just N150,000.


Who says humans are equal?!

That is why we warn against defending corrupt politicians which lessens the ordinary man whose pair won't defend him despite there being a greater likelihood of being honest than the corrupt politician.

That bastard of a senator also deserves jail time!



Slapping people you are meant to serve? Bloody _moron!

ISDKING:
They paid him just 150 thousand naira because he's a commoner. I really pity average Nigerians.

how much slap dem slap am? make dem give am state budget?

I dey do slapping business oooo one slap for 500k so u can slap as many as u can,but my bank must alert me



But dey suppose to let dis arrogant senator to serve six month jail term for slapping an innocent man


Useless politicians

please where is the senator and his orderly?.. i need slap..!