FG, Police Face Legal Action over Failure to Investigate TikTok Star’s Death
- A human rights group has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian government and police authorities for failing to investigate the murder of a transgender TikTok star, Ifeanyi Chukwu-Agah Benedict
- The group claims the 33-year-old was targeted and killed in Abuja due to their gender identity, and that the authorities ignored multiple petitions demanding justice
- The court case seeks a declaration of rights violations and an order compelling the police to begin an investigation and prosecute those responsible
A non-governmental human rights organisation, Minority Advocates for Education and Equitable Access to Rights Initiative, has dragged the Nigerian Government, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, to court over the gruesome murder of popular transgender TikTok personality, Ifeanyi Chukwu-Agah Benedict, widely known as Abuja Area Mama.
The suit, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks justice for the alleged deliberate inaction of the Nigerian Police following the murder of the 33-year-old content creator in August 2024.
Source: Original
Transgender man gruesomely murdered in FCT
On August 8, 2024, news made the rounds on social media of the TikTok star’s demise. It was gathered that the young man was killed in the country’s capital city.
Reports made the rounds on social media that the crossdresser was attacked by unknown individuals and killed after he stepped out in the late hours of August 7.
Nearly 12 months after, neither Nigerian police nor government has released an official update regarding efforts made to arrest or prosecute the suspected killer of the cross dresser.
Legit.ng obtained the court documents filed by Chizelu Emejulu, Esq, in a suit marked by the applicant as an application for the enforcement of fundamental human rights. The matter is brought on behalf of the deceased by the organization.
According to the originating court process, titled:
"IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION BY THE REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF MINORITY ADVOCATES FOR EDUCATION AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO RIGHTS INITIATIVE FOR AN ORDER FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS OF IFEANYI CHUKWU-AGAH BENEDICT."
The Registered Trustees of Minority Advocates for Education and Equitable Access to Rights Initiative (also known as Minority Watch) is suing the following as respondents: the Commissioner of Police, The Inspector General of Police, FCT Command , the Attorney-General of the Federation (representing the Nigerian Government).
Group argues murder was motivated by gender identity
The applicant stated that the deceased, a transgender individual residing in Abuja and popularly known as Abuja Area Mama, was murdered in what it believes was a targeted attack related to her gender identity.
Source: Facebook
According to the statement filed pursuant to Order 2 Rule 3 of the Fundamental Human Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009:
“On the 8th day of August, 2024, the Deceased was brutally attacked and murdered by persons unknown. The assailants targeted the Deceased, and following this horrifying murderous incident, they stripped the Deceased naked and callously dumped the body along the Katampe-Mabushi expressway in Abuja.”
The group argues that despite petitions submitted to the FCT Police Command immediately after the incident on August 8, 2024, and again on February 12, 2025, no investigation has been launched, nor has any suspect been identified or prosecuted.
“The Applicant and two other non-governmental organizations jointly wrote a petition dated 8th August, 2024 and addressed to the 1st Respondent, demanding for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the Deceased… The 1st Respondent acknowledged receipt of the petition, but failed, refused and/or neglected to act on same,” the court process reads.
The applicant contends that this failure constitutes a further violation of the deceased’s right to life and dignity, as enshrined in both Nigerian and international legal instruments.
Court's intervention sought on murder case
The organisation is asking the court for: a declaration that the refusal or failure by the respondents to investigate the circumstances surrounding the suspicious and unnatural death of Abuja Area Mama violates Sections 33 and 34 of the Nigerian Constitution, Articles 1 and 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Articles 4 and 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and Sections 4 & 5(3) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.
The group is seeking what is called an Order of Mandamus compelling the respondents to:
“Immediately commence investigations into the death of Ifeanyi Chukwu-Agah Benedict, popularly known as Abuja Area Mama, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the perpetrators are identified for possible prosecution.”
Man ‘kills’ wife 8 months after wedding
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that tragedy struck in the Upper Mission Extension area of Benin City in Edo state as a businessman killed his wife.
Kelvin Izekor allegedly killed his wife after hitting his 38-year-old wife, Success Izekor, with a cutlass on the head.
The state police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, said the suspect was rescued from an angry mob who wanted to lynch the husband.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
Ibrahim Sofiyullaha (Editorial Assistant) Ibrahim Sofiyullaha is a graduate of First Technical University, Ibadan. He was the founder and pioneer Editor-in-Chief of a fast-rising campus journalism outfit at his university. Ibrahim is a coauthor of the book Julie, or Sylvia, written in collaboration with two prominent Western authors. He was ranked as the 9th best young writer in Africa by the International Sports Press Association. Ibrahim has contributed insightful articles for major platforms, including Sportskeeda in the UK and Motherly in the United States. Email: ibrahim.sofiyullaha@corp.legit.ng
Atanda Omobolaji (Kwara State Correspondent)
