A Federal High Court in Lagos has awarded N100 million damages against the Nigerian Navy and its officer, Commander C.T Olowu, for negligence which caused grave bodily harm and permanent loss of reproductive organs of a woman, Joy Bassey.
The court also granted interest of five percent on the judgment sum to be payable from the date of judgment until the amount is totally liquidated.
Delivering his verdict, presiding judge, Justice John Tsoho, posited that it is beyond denial that the unmitigated negligence and unprofessional conduct of Commander Olowu has destroyed the Bassey’s marriage, fertility and deprived her of peace and happiness.
According to him, “In short, all attributes of womanhood in the plaintiff has been ruined and her humanity generally, grossly diminished for life”.
The judge further ruled that there was no quantum of monetary damages that could sufficiently compensate Mrs. Bassey for the agony she has been confined to face for her entire life by the gory incident.
The plaintiff, Mrs. Bassey, had sued the Nigerian Navy and Olowu, who is said to be a Consultant
Gynecologist/Surgeon with the agency for negligence. Mrs. Marian Jones from the Lagos branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) sued on her behalf.
