…Family optimistic, insists on justice over negligence of Late Chineme Martins
Justice R.B Haastrup of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Judicial Division, Wednesday, adjourned the lawsuit involving the family of late Chineme Martins and the Nigeria Football Federation, the League Management Company, Nasarawa United FC and Match Commissioner, Christian Mbah, till April 24, 2024.
Recall that late Chineme Martins, aged 23, collapsed during a Nigerian Professional Football League match between relegation-threatened Nasarawa United and Katsina United on March 8, 2020, at the Lafia Township stadium and died as a result of delay in administering medical attention to him, especially as the Peugeot 406 ambulance stationed at the field, which was supposed to convey him to the hospital, failed to start, despite many people pushing it.
The sad incident was equally lamented by Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, who revealed in a Channels TV programme that he was at the field on the faithful day to watch the match and had directed that his vehicle should be used to convey Chineme to the hospital when he noticed people pushing the ambulance and its inability to start.
Martins’ was subsequently buried in Abia State on June 6, 2020, three months after his demise, with the family receiving a total of N4m from the Nasarawa state government, which covered the cost of the late player’s burial.
However, as a result of the medical negligence, the family of the late Chineme Martins, in December, 2020, instituted a lawsuit against the Nigeria Football Federation, the League Management Company, Nasarawa United FC and Match Commissioner, Christian Mbah, with case file number: NICN/ABJ/375/2020, demanding a compensation of N120m from the club, according to court documents.
Aside some failed attempts to serve defendants with hearing notices or the non-sitting of the court, the family alleged that the antics of the lawyers of Nasarawa United FC have been a major clog in the wheel of progress in the form of needless adjournment requests – sometimes merely two days before the hearing date, when witnesses and lawyers have already travelled to Abuja.
However, at the continuation of hearing on Wednesday, the counsel to the first defendant (Nasarawa United FC), RA Umaru, cross-examined the elder brother of the deceased, Mr Anthony Chineme, a businessman resident in Benin City, who admitted that the family has not received compensation from Nasarawa United FC, apart from the salary and match bonus of the deceased paid when he died.
The suit was adjourned by Justice R.B Haastrup; in order for the first defendant to produce former chairman of Nasarawa United FC and present Permanent Secretary at Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Isaac Danladi, to appear in court for cross examination.
Speaking with newsmen, Counsel to the claimant, Abiodun Sonaike, Esq, of Sportlicitors Chambers, Akure, said that he is optimistic that justice will be served in the case.
“What we did today was to close the case of the claimant. From last year, the family have been presenting their case by telling the court how the whole thing happened and how it is the fault of Nasarawa United. Today, Nasarawa United cross examined the brother of the deceased by trying to prove otherwise that it wasn’t their fault.
“The proceeding was okay as we are building on the credibility of the case. However, we leave that to the discretion of the court. By the next adjourned date, they will prove what happened, what caused the death of Chineme Martins and we are ready for them. I believe that at the end of the day, justice will be done,” he said.