A Port Harcourt High Court has asked the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police command, to pay N10 million to a legal practitioner, Mr. Olubisi Afolabi for detaining him illegally.
The ruling, which was given pursuant to Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, Section 46 of the 1999 Constitution was sequel to an suit filed by the lawyer alleging that he was illegally detained on the orders of a Divisional Police Officer, Eneka station, CSP Yahaya Bello, stating that his fundamental rights have been infringed upon
The court, in the ruling, delivered by Justice G. O. Omereji of High Court 13, Port Harcourt, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent in Owerri yesterday, also declared as illegal the continued detention of the applicants Toyota Dyna 100 vehicle because of the applicant’s refusal to write an apology letter and ordered same to be released to him.
A copy of the ruling was signed by the Director of Litigation, Mina H. H. Jumbo .
The legal practitioner, through his counsel, O.D. Abdulkarem with G. B. Sanusi, Dike Udenwa et al, had approached the court asking for the enforcement of fundamental human rights as he was detained against his wish by the defendants at the Eneka police station in a cell with hardened criminals and drug addicts following his demand for the release of his vehicle seized by the police.
He had asked the court to award him N20 million as damages.
Joined in suit were the DPO, CSP Yahaya Bello, Divisional Crime Officer, Charles AKPABIO and the Investigative Police Officer, Eneka station, Sergeant Okwudiri.
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