An Akwa Ibom state High Court sitting in Uyo, the state capital has ordered the Inspector General of Police IGP and five others to pay a mother of two, Peace Roberts the sum of two hundred million naira as damages for unlawful arrest and detention
The presiding judge, Ntong Ntong gave the judgment in a case of enforcement of fundamental human rights by the applicant.
Sometime in March 2023, one Ifeanyiwa Olua approached the applicant, one Peace Robert to link her up with someone in Europe that could buy 55 thousand euros and pay her 42 point five million equivalent in naira.
The euros were said to have been transferred to a Spanish account. Surprised by the transfers which came in quick succession, the account holder reported to the Spanish authorities who placed a restriction on the account suspecting it to be illicit funds.
Consequently, the applicant was arrested by the Nigerian police, detained without trial and N15m extorted from her.
In his judgment, the presiding judge, Ntong Ntong carpeted the Nigeria police for being a law unto itself and bastardizing the 1999 constitution by turning itself to a debt recovery agency.
MUST READ: Again, Appeal Court dismisses suit seeking Timipre Sylva’s exclusion from Bayelsa Governorship Election
Justice Ntong therefore ordered the police to refund the applicant the sum of N15m that was extorted from her.
The Court also ordered the Inspector General of Police and five other respondents to return the N15m collected from the applicant pending the hearing and final determination of the criminal charge against her before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The trial judge held that the Police was not a debt recovery agency and has no power to have extorted fifteen million Naira from the applicant in a matter they have not concluded investigation nor the applicant tried and found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Counsel to the applicant and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Uwemedimo Nwoko described the Court as the last hope of the common man.
Counsel to the respondent, Akebong Essien said his client did no wrong to have reported the matter to the Police.
As at the time of judgment, the Police was yet to arraign the applicant before any Court.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
