An old court judgment from 2009 has resurfaced amid ongoing political discourse in Benue State, reigniting debate over compensation for victims of the Zaki Biam killings.
According to a report by Leadership Newspaper (Abuja) dated 16 March 2009, the Court of Appeal stopped the bid by eight indigenes of Benue State to claim N42 billion as compensation ordered by a Federal High Court in Enugu. The compensation was for the gruesome killings of their people and the wanton destruction of property in Zaki Biam by soldiers acting on the instructions of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The affected indigenes named in the report included Dr. Alexander Gaadi, Peter Orngu, Terfa Akkagba, Anongu Unishigh, Ngunengen Adura, Jabi Adula, and Zaki Kaduna Mazan.
Recent social media discussions have linked the matter to Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN), with claims that he played a role in reducing the compensation amount from N42 billion to N8 billion. The development has sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning the handling of the case and its implications for justice for the victims of the 2001 Zaki Biam massacre.
The resurfaced story comes as political activities ahead of future elections intensify in Benue State.
