A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to pay N1.12 billion in compensation to the family of Mike Madu, a businessman killed in a 2019 road crash involving an INEC driver.

Inyang Ekwo, in his judgment on Friday, condemned INEC’s “reckless disregard for human life” and ordered the commission to pay the sum with 10% annual interest until settled.

He also mandated INEC, its chairman Mahmood Yakubu and other defendants to issue a formal apology to the family.

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The case, initiated by Augustine Madu on behalf of the Umudurugwu, Umuokwe and Awo-Omamma communities in Oru-East Local Government Area of Imo State, stems from a fatal auto collision on June 16, 2019.

Augustine, who filed the suit on September 18, 2019, sought justice for his late brother — a successful businessman and the family’s breadwinner.

On that fateful day, while escorting two Chinese investors exploring opportunities in the Enugu State Free Trade Zone, Madu was involved in a head-on collision.

The Lexus he was travelling in collided with a Toyota V8 Land Cruiser Jeep driven by Hassan Abdul, an INEC escort driver.

The Punch reported that, according to the police report dated July 16, 2019, Abdul’s reckless speeding led to the accident that claimed the lives of Madu and Huang Hia Yan, one of the investors.

Augustine said that Madu had been the sole provider for his immediate family, his Chinese wife Xiaojuan Li and their young son.

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Despite being recalled for cross-examination on November 16, 2023, the defendant, INEC, failed to appear in court. The court upheld the claims of the plaintiff and awarded compensation to Madu’s family.