PHCN Pays N45M Compensation To Family Of Unilag Student Electrocuted Outside Her Hostel

In September 2015 Oluchi Anekwe, a first class 300L Accounting student of UNILAG, was electrocuted at about 7pm, while returning from an evening mass with her younger sister.

Oluchi had reportedly entered the Eni Njoku Hall to buy an item and was walking out of the hostel when a high-tension wire fell on her, leading to her untimely death. The Federal Government set up a panel to investigate the death.

A source say The family of Oluchi Anekwe, has been paid N45m as compensation. The money was reportedly paid after the Eko Electricity Distribution Company reached a non-disclosure agreement with the victim’s family.

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, Punch Metro reports.

After series of meetings, the power firm buckled and settled with the family. A source said:

"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.”

When contacted, Oluchi’s father, Chief Basil Anekwe, refused to confirm if any money was paid to his family, saying instead that the victim’s younger sister was abandoned in an American hospital.

He said, “Which money are you talking about? Where did you get the information? Well, I don’t have an idea of what you are talking about; I am in Enugu right now.”

Probed further if the family had received any payment, he said: “Do not ask me because I do not know you. You cannot hear anything from me. Go and confirm from the person that gave you the information. Write that I said I have nothing to say about it. I stopped the negotiation process because my daughter was abandoned in an American hospital and I had to go and get her.”