Enugu Businessman Who Allegedly Used Policemen To Beat Truck Driver To Coma Obtains Court Order To Stop Arrest

Mr Donald Ekete, the Managing Director of Eketeson Resources Nig Ltd, who beat a truck driver of rival company to coma has obtained Ex-parte order barring Inspector General of Police and the Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge Force Criminal Investigation Department Enugu Annex from arresting him.

Newsmen reported on October 1, that one Okechukwu Ofor, a truck driver who was beaten to coma by three policemen attached to construction firm, Eketeson Resources Nig Ltd on alleged instructions of the managing director, Mr Donald Ekete has sued the company and policemen seeking over N600million in compensation for aggravated, exemplary and general damages.

Newsmen reported on June 3 that three policemen attached to a construction firm, Eketeson Resources Nig LTD, one of the firms undertaking the rehabilitation of roads in Enugu State and its managing director had beaten a truck driver to coma.

The truck driver, Okechukwu Ofor, working with an estate company, Toshel Nig Ltd, was later dumped at the Independence Layout Police Station by the policemen and they disappeared, thinking that he will not survived it.

However, through the intervention of some policemen, who took him to a police clinic at the State Police headquarters, he was revived and moved to another hospital for proper treatment.

On September 30, Newsmen reported that in a desperate effort to force the truck driver with a company, Toshel Construction Ltd, Mr Okechukwu Offor, to withdraw a legal action and petition to Inspector General of Police against Mr. Donald Ekete, and some policemen for attempted murder, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, arrested, arraigned and remanded his Managing Director, Mr. Tochukwu Nzekwe in prison custody.

He was arraigned on two-count trump-up charges of promoting local war and conspiracy before an Enugu North Magistrate Court, presided by His Worship Chukwu Ani on September 26, 2024.

Mr. Ekete is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Eketeson Resources Nig Ltd a rival company to Toshel Construction Ltd, owned by Mr Nzekwe.
However, Mr Ekete after Mr Nzekwe was released from prison ran to Justice C. A. Ogbuabor of Enugu State High Court and obtained an ex-parte order barring police authorities, his victim Okechukwu Offor and his employer Mr Nzekwe Tochukwu from arresting him pending the determination of a motion on notice.

The order Newsmen obtained on Friday with Suit No: E/863/2024 was dated October 10.

The suit which Chief Donald Eketi appeared as the Sole Applicant, had Inspector General of Police, AIG Force CID Annex, Enugu, Commissioner Of Police Force CID Annex, Enugu, Mr. Tochukwu Nzekwe, Okechukwu Offor and Commissioner of Police, Enugu State as the 1st to 6th Respondents.

The Motion on Ex-pate was brought pursuant to Order II Rule 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, Sections 3-4 (1) (A), 35 (1), 41(1) and 46 (1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution and Article 6 and 7 (1) (b) of the African Chapter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement Act) Cap 10 Laws of Federation and under the inherent Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.

It was supported by a Statement indicating the Names and Descriptions of the Applicant, the Reliefs Sought and the Grounds Upon Which the Reliefs are Hinged and 28 paragraphs affidavit with exhibits marked A, B, C & D sworn to by Chief Engr. Donald Ekete the Applicant herein and a written address filed at the High Court Registry, Enugu on the 9th day of October, 2024.

The order partly read: “…Upon Considering the facts contained in the affidavit, the exhibits, the written address and other processes filed in this suit this honourable Court hereby Orders as follows:

“An Order of Interim Injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves or by their officers, servants, agents or privies from arresting, detaining or in any other manner infringing on the Fundamental Rights of the Applicant pending the determination of the Motion on Notice already filed.
“That the parties be and are therefore directed to maintain the status quo as of today pending the determination of the substantive application.

“That the matter is adjourned to 24 day of October, 2024 for hearing of the Motion on Notice.”