The Senate has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve a compensation package of N200 million for the family of two-year-old Onosereba Omhonria, who was tragically killed during a failed drug raid by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives in Delta State.
The resolution came on Thursday after the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions presented a report investigating the July 13, 2023, incident.
During the raid at Abacha Junction, a known drug hotspot in Okpanam, Asaba, Oshimili North Local Government Area, a stray bullet struck Onosereba fatally and seriously injured his younger brother, Eromonsele, in the eye.
Senator Neda Imasuen (APC – Edo South), Committee Chairman, described the incident as “deeply tragic.”
He noted that “Eromonsele’s eye injury remains severe, with doctors still uncertain about the possibility of restoring his sight.”
Although the NDLEA has provided N25 million to the family as interim assistance, the committee found the agency unable to fund the advanced medical care needed abroad.
“The agency is overstretched and simply does not have the capacity to provide the level of assistance needed,” Imasuen said.
The Senate passed a resolution urging President Tinubu to authorize an additional N200 million compensation to the Omhonria family, highlighting the “psychological and physical trauma the incident has caused.”
Furthermore, the Senate mandated the NDLEA to continue supporting Eromonsele’s medical treatment, including arranging specialized care overseas.
The chamber observed a minute of silence in memory of the late toddler and expressed solidarity with the grieving family.
A proposal to call on the Attorney General of the Federation to prosecute the NDLEA officer involved was withdrawn after it was confirmed that the officer is already facing trial.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) spoke emotionally about the tragedy, saying: “No amount of money can compensate for the life of a child. The uniform should not be a license to kill and return home to sleep peacefully with your own children.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also expressed condolences, stating: “Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased and the little boy still fighting to recover. Justice must not only be done. It must be seen to be done.”
The Senate tasked its Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor the implementation of its resolutions and report back within six weeks.
In another decision, the Senate approved the dismissal of Ms. Sandra Nimi Harry, a former senior staff member of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), for involvement in a high-level examination malpractice scheme.
Harry, employed since July 1992, was sacked in July 2023 following a WAEC probe linking her to the fraudulent swapping of answer scripts for absentee candidates in Port Harcourt.
She was accused of assisting a colleague, Mr. Raymond Obi, allegedly under instructions from another staff member, Joseph Pepple.
Despite 31 years of unblemished service before the incident, the Senate Ethics Committee found her actions amounted to gross misconduct.
Though the committee suggested WAEC consider converting the dismissal to retirement, the Senate rejected this, with Senator Garba Maidoki stating: “This woman has done irreparable damage to the credibility of our education system. She deserves no mercy.”
Senator Oshiomhole agreed, calling for prosecution and describing her actions as “an atrocity.”
Senate President Akpabio warned against setting a dangerous precedent: “We cannot let long service be a shield for criminal conduct.”
