Electrocuted UNILAG student: Power Firm Pays N45m To Victim's Family

Oluchi Anekwe, a 300-level UNILAG student was electrocuted to death 

(Facebook/Oluchi Anekwe) 

A student of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Oluchi Anekwe lost her life when she was electrocuted by a live wire on the school premises.

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has paid N45million as compensation to the victim's family after the company reached a non-disclosure agreement with the victim’s family.

A First Class 300-level student of Accounting, Oluchi was electrocuted at about 7pm, while returning from an evening mass with her younger sister in September 2015.

A Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, reportedly took up the case and wrote EKEDC, asking that the firm compensate the family or risk litigation.

It was gathered that after series of meetings, the power firm buckled and settled with the family.

Punch reports that a source revealed, “They agreed and paid N45m in a non-disclosure agreement. This means the agreement is not to be disclosed to the public. It is supposed to be a private arrangement between the company and the girl’s family.

“The reasoning is that if it is publicised, it could encourage people who have similar grievances to insist on monetary settlements. That might not augur well for the company. The victim’s younger sister has also been flown abroad for treatment for the injuries she sustained in the incident.”

Oluchi’s father, Chief Basil Anekwe has refused to confirm the details of the settlement. He, however, alleged that the power company abandoned Oluchi’s sister in an American hospital.