Five years after the tragic killing of journalist Alex Ogbu by a police officer during a protest in Abuja, the Nigerian Police Force has failed to comply with a court-ordered N50 million compensation to his family. Activists, family members, and rights groups are intensifying calls for accountability, accusing the police of gross negligence and disrespect for the rule of law.
The incident, which occurred on January 21, 2020, left Ogbu’s wife, Francisca, and their two-year-old daughter in emotional and financial distress. Today, the child is six years old, and the family remains without the promised justice or financial reprieve.
A Tragic Death Amid Protest
Ogbu, a journalist with strong ties to advocacy, was covering a peaceful protest by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) at the Berger roundabout in Abuja when a police bullet ended his life. The demonstration had been organized to demand the release of their detained leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
Initial police reports claimed Ogbu was a victim of an accident. However, an autopsy conducted shortly after revealed that he was struck by a police bullet. The IMN and other rights organizations swiftly condemned the killing, urging the authorities to identify and prosecute the officer responsible.
Court Orders Compensation, Police Ignore
In June 2023, after three years of legal battles, Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory ruled in favor of Ogbu’s family. The court ordered the police to pay N50 million as compensation for his death, a sum meant to alleviate the family’s suffering and serve as a step toward justice.
Shockingly, the Nigerian Police Force has neither paid the compensation nor filed an appeal against the ruling. According to the Justice for Alex group, the police have treated the court’s decision with “pure scorn and impunity.”
“Justice for Alex” Campaign
The Justice for Alex group, led by coordinators Gerald O. Katchy and Sadare Oladimeji, has been at the forefront of the campaign for justice. In a recent statement, the group reiterated its commitment to exposing “brutal, unprofessional, and killer police officers who populate the rank and file of the Nigeria Police Force.”
“This struggle is not just about Alex Ogbu,” the statement read. “It’s about ensuring that such unprofessional acts by security personnel are curtailed and that the perpetrators are held accountable.”
The group compared Ogbu’s case to the 2020 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, USA, highlighting the swiftness of justice in Floyd’s case. “Five years after Alex’s death, we are still begging for justice. This is a shameful contrast,” they lamented.
Family Speaks Out
Francisca Ogbu, the journalist’s widow, has expressed her frustration with the lack of transparency and accountability from the police. Speaking to reporters, she said:
“I want the police to come out and say the truth and let the world know they killed my husband. They’ve tried to alter the narrative, claiming he was an accident victim, but the autopsy proved otherwise.”
She further noted the short notice given to the family to appoint a pathologist for the autopsy, a move she interpreted as an attempt to delay or obscure the truth.
“All I want is justice for my late husband,” she added, her voice heavy with emotion.
Impending Protests and Global Attention
Frustrated by the lack of action, the Justice for Alex group has threatened to escalate their efforts. They plan to organize protests at the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters and have called on Nigerians in the diaspora to stage demonstrations in major cities around the world.
“The fight for justice will not stop until the court’s judgment is obeyed,” the group declared.
A Broader Problem
Ogbu’s case highlights systemic issues within the Nigerian Police Force, including allegations of impunity, human rights violations, and a disregard for court orders. Critics argue that such behavior undermines public trust in the institution.
Activists have also questioned the silence of professional bodies like the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). “He was one of their own,” a member of the Justice for Alex group pointed out. “Their lack of vocal support raises serious questions about their commitment to defending their members.”
A Call for Accountability
The Justice for Alex campaign has become a rallying point for Nigerians advocating for police reform. The group’s coordinators have called on the Inspector General of Police to comply with the court ruling and identify the officer responsible for Ogbu’s death.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” they said. “This is about more than one family; it’s about the soul of the nation.”
Ogbu’s killing and the subsequent neglect of his case echo the grievances that fueled Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests in 2020. Those demonstrations, which called for an end to police brutality and systemic reforms, remain a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability in the nation’s security forces.
