By Ondo
In a heart-wrenching legal battle that has captured the attention of many, Opeyemi Adegboyega, a grieving widow, has taken the Ondo State government to court, demanding N95 million in damages for the alleged disappearance of her 3-month-old son, Oluwaseun Omoniyi. The tragic incident occurred while her child was in the custody of the Ondo State Juvenile Home in Akure, the state capital.
The Disturbing Sequence of Events
A Desperate Mother’s Choice
The ordeal began in 2017 when Opeyemi Adegboyega found herself hospitalized for a month due to a medical condition. During her hospitalization, she faced an agonizing dilemma – who would take care of her three young children, including the 3-month-old Oluwaseun?
In her hour of need, she turned to the state juvenile home, seeking assistance from the authorities. The state juvenile home volunteered to care for her children during her hospitalization, providing a glimmer of hope during a difficult time. Opeyemi, along with her mother, agreed to entrust the youngest, Oluwaseun, to the care of the juvenile home while the others remained under her mother’s custody.
A Grieving Mother’s Shock
The nightmare deepened when Opeyemi was finally discharged from the hospital, and she went to reclaim her beloved baby boy from the juvenile home. To her utter shock and horror, she was informed that her precious child had passed away during her absence. The news was devastating, and she demanded to see her child’s body.
According to her, the authorities at the juvenile home informed her that Oluwaseun’s lifeless body had been taken to the State Specialist Hospital mortuary. However, when she arrived at the hospital, government officials denied any knowledge of receiving the corpse of a child from the Ondo State Juvenile Home during that period. This stark contradiction left Opeyemi in a state of emotional turmoil and confusion.
Seeking Justice
The distraught mother, not willing to accept such a painful loss without answers, embarked on a relentless pursuit of justice. She, through her lawyer, Mr. Oju Kekemeke, filed a lawsuit against the Ondo State government, specifically naming the Commissioner for Women Affairs and the state Attorney General as defendants in the case.
Legal Demands for Accountability
In her legal action, Opeyemi Adegboyega seeks several remedies. Firstly, she is requesting an order from the court compelling the defendants to account for the whereabouts of her son, Oluwaseun Omoniyi, whose disappearance remains shrouded in mystery.
Demanding Compensation
Furthermore, the grieving mother is pursuing justice by seeking substantial compensation. She is demanding N50 million as exemplary and aggravated damages, underlining the immense pain, anguish, personal loss, and psychological trauma inflicted upon her due to the alleged negligence of the defendants. Additionally, she is seeking N40 million in general damages as a testament to the excruciating ordeal she has endured.
Financial Recompense for Legal Action
In recognition of the costs incurred in pursuing this legal battle, Opeyemi Adegboyega is also requesting N5 million in damages to cover the expenses related to initiating this lawsuit.
Interest on the Judgment
To ensure that justice is not delayed further, Opeyemi’s lawyer has asked for a court order mandating a 15 percent annual interest rate on the judgment sum. This measure is intended to emphasize the urgency and gravity of the matter, compelling the defendants to act swiftly and decisively.
The Lawyer’s Resolve
Oju Kekemeke, the lawyer representing Opeyemi Adegboyega, has expressed unwavering determination in seeking justice for his client. He firmly stated, “It is unfortunate that the system took advantage of Opeyemi Adegboyega’s medical condition at the time; therefore, the system will be held accountable for this flagrant breach of public duty.”
In this deeply troubling case, Opeyemi Adegboyega’s pursuit of justice remains resolute. As the legal battle unfolds, the eyes of the nation are fixed on the outcome, and the public eagerly awaits answers to the disturbing questions surrounding the disappearance of 3-month-old Oluwaseun Omoniyi.
In conclusion, this heart-wrenching story of a mother’s loss and her relentless pursuit of justice has gripped the hearts of many. The quest to find out what truly happened to Oluwaseun Omoniyi and to hold the responsible parties accountable is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. As the legal proceedings progress, the hope for answers and justice remains stronger than ever.
