The Nigerian police has been ordered to pay the sum of N50 million to Mrs. Ngozi Umeadi after she was illegally arrested and detained by officers led by embattled DCP, Abba Kyari.
The ruling was given by a Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Gudu Judicial Division Abuja.
Umeadi is being represented by IPOB lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor. He had instituted a case against the police over the illegal arrest, torture and continued detention of Mrs. Umeadi since February 2021 till date.
In a Judgement delivered on Thursday morning, Hon. Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi of Court No. 28, Gudu Judicial Division, Abuja, declared Umeadi’s arrest and continued detention by the Operatives of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Unit, hitherto led by Abba Kyari ‘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 N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira Only) against the Police as reparation.
The Court further directed in her Judgement that the Police should tender an unreserved apology to Mrs Ngozi Umeadi, which apology will be published in two National Dailies. Speaking on the case, her lawyer, Ejiofor said;
“We shall leave no stone unturned to ensure that the terms of this judgment is carried out to the letter.”
“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.”
