inDrive, a ride-hailing company, is facing a lawsuit for negligence and breach of duty of care from a passenger in FCT Abuja. The passenger alleges suffering distress and financial damages due to the actions of one of its dispatch riders. This incident marks the second time in recent weeks that the company has faced public scrutiny.
A Pre-action notice and Letter of Demand, filed on Thursday, September 30, by Piye Garuba, Associate Counsel for LAW OFFICE OF CHIGBUE & CHIGBUE, Esq., outlines the suit filed on behalf of its client, Ms. Deborah Godfrey Bassey. The letter states that Ms. Bassey experienced emotional trauma and financial loss resulting from a breach of trust and negligence by an inDrive dispatch rider named Chukwudi Chinemere Madaukor.
"We are solicitors to Ms. Deborah Godfrey Bassey (“our client”), on whose behalf we issue this formal notice against your organization, InDrive Nigeria, in respect of the negligent and irresponsible conduct of one of your registered dispatch riders, by name CHUKWUDI CHINEMERE MADUAKOR (07068817194), which resulted in the loss of our client’s valuable items, emotional trauma, and financial damage."
According to the suit, which was observed on Ms. Deborah’s X page, the inDrive dispatch rider, Mr. Chukwudi, allegedly deviated from the agreed delivery destination, breached his duty, and absconded with valuable items intended for Ms. Deborah. The lost packages are estimated to be worth N800,000 and have caused Ms. Deborah significant emotional distress, embarrassment, and inconvenience.
The suit states that it will include claims for negligence, breach of duty of care, conversion, and general and exemplary damages.
The demand for damages includes a written apology from inDrive on behalf of the rider and a payment of N15 million for general damages to compensate for the loss, trauma, and mental anguish caused by inDrive’s alleged negligence and poor service.
The suit specifies that if these demands are not met by inDrive within 7 days from October 30, civil action will be pursued against the company without further notice.
Details of the Incident
The Pre-action letter details that Ms. Deborah utilized the inDrive App to request a delivery from No. 11 Turner Crescent, Wuye, to Gold City Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, on October 16, 2025.
The items to be delivered included one Burgundy Bone Straight Wig valued at N450,000, a food bowl containing stew, two rings (one gold and one fashion ring), and two packs of biscuits.
While the agreed delivery fare on the inDrive app was N2,400, the dispatch rider bid N2,700, citing the destination as being somewhat distant. The suit notes that Ms. Deborah agreed to this revised fare, and the rider confirmed pickup via the inDrive App, indicating he was on his way to the delivery address.
Subsequently, the rider called back to inquire if the drop-off point was Lokogoma or Lugbe, despite initially confirming the destination for the packages. Ms. Deborah responded, confirming Lugbe as per the agreed destination.
"He then went ahead to say “Lugbe for 2,700 I am not going again”. Our client furthered asked him to handover the package back to the sender and immediately called the sender to inform her that the rider was not going again, had canceled the ride and to that the sender should collect the package from him."
However, the sender was unable to intercept the driver, observing an inscription indicating that "your dispatch rider had driven off with the packages."
The suit explains that the inDrive rider has since been unreachable, has ceased all communication, and has blocked both Ms. Deborah and the sender on all platforms, absconding with the package.
Subsequent Actions and Demands
During this period, Ms. Deborah reportedly contacted inDrive on the day of the incident via Instagram through her handle, @Ediyeeyenefik. However, by the time the suit was filed, she had not received any positive feedback from the ride-hailing company.
Ms. Deborah, with assistance from the state Police, made efforts to track the rider, which proved successful. According to the suit, the inDrive rider was located in the Orozo axis of Abuja, where he was reportedly apprehended.
Along with the demand for a written apology, the suit is seeking N15 million in compensation from inDrive, asserting that Ms. Deborah suffered distress, financial damages, and emotional loss throughout the ordeal.
"Our client has suffered severe emotional distress, embarrassment, and inconvenience as a direct result of your platform’s failure to ensure safety, accountability, and supervision of your registered riders."
As of the time of this report, inDrive has not issued an official statement regarding the issue or made any public announcement concerning the lawsuit.
It is recalled that approximately two weeks prior, the company reinstated the account of its driver, Mr. James Oluwatosin, who was the subject of a robbery conspiracy allegation made by a passenger. This decision came amidst widespread social media discussions and concerns regarding the veracity of the allegations.
inDrive stated that after reviewing the passenger’s account, it found no clear evidence to support the accusations and declared Mr. Oluwatosin not guilty.