September 23, (THEWILL) – Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi , the presiding judge of an FCT High Court, sitting in Gudu Judicial Division Abuja, has awarded N50 million damages against the police for unlawful arrest and detention of Mrs. Ngozi Umeadi.
Ngozi was arrested on February 16, 2021 and detained by the operatives of the IGP Intelligence Response Unit led by suspended DCP., Abba Kyari
Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lawyer to Namdi Kanu, the detained leader of the IPOB, had filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit, to challenge the illegal arrest, torture and continued detention of Mrs Ngozi Umeadi.
In her ruling on Thursday, Justice Osho-Adebiyi declared her arrest and detention “illegal, and a gross violation of her fundamental Human Rights”.
The Court further directed for her “immediate and unconditional release from custody, and consequently awarded exemplary and aggravated damages of N50 million damages against the police as reparation.
The Court further directed the police to “tender an unreserved apology to Mrs Ngozi Umeadi, to be published in two national dailies”.
While reacting to the judgment, Barrister Ejiofor, vowed that no stone shall be left unturned to ensure that the terms of the judgment is carried out to the letter.
In a statement on Thursday, Ejiofor said, “We shall also be speedily following up on prompt compliance with these terms of judgment, while other pending applications affecting others still in this category are being addressed in Court. Do not lose hope.
“However, be assured that justice can only be delayed but not denied. All persons illegally arrested and still being detained by the lawless Nigerian Security Agencies shall get justice.
“We are not relenting. We shall give further update on the outcome of today’s visit to our indefatigable Client-Mazi Nnamdi Kanu once the visit is concluded. The future is very bright indeed.
“With your understanding and prayers, we shall surmount all the unsurmountable using the extant judicial and civil process.”
