The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday, ordered the Nigeria Police to pay N10m to a former Special Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Kingsley Kuku, as damages for the invasion of his house.
Some armed policemen had in May 2018 invaded the home of the former presidential aide in Arogbo, Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Kuku challenged the action of the police in the court.
Through his counsel, Atima K. A. and Co, Kuku prayed the court to declare the action of the police illegal, oppressive and unconstitutional.
Representing the plaintiff in court, Egbekun Ebieritei, in suit No FHC/AK/CS/61/18, had argued that the invasion of the country home residence of Kuku by the police was illegal.
According to him, the country’s constitution provides for arrest by the police upon suspicion that someone who committed a crime and such a person must be charged to court within a reasonable period.
In a judgement delivered by Justice Folashade Olubanjo, the court awarded N10m against the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Gbenga Adeyanju; and the Divisional Police Officer of Arogbo Police Station.
The judge ruled that the police “breached the fundamental rights of the claimant by invading his home and destroying his properties,” adding that the applicant was unjustly humiliated.
The judge added that the defence of the police was not acceptable to the court and ordered the respondents to jointly pay the sum of N10m as damages to the applicant.
Some armed policemen had in May 2018 invaded the home of the former presidential aide in Arogbo, Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Kuku challenged the action of the police in the court.
Through his counsel, Atima K. A. and Co, Kuku prayed the court to declare the action of the police illegal, oppressive and unconstitutional.
Representing the plaintiff in court, Egbekun Ebieritei, in suit No FHC/AK/CS/61/18, had argued that the invasion of the country home residence of Kuku by the police was illegal.
According to him, the country’s constitution provides for arrest by the police upon suspicion that someone who committed a crime and such a person must be charged to court within a reasonable period.
In a judgement delivered by Justice Folashade Olubanjo, the court awarded N10m against the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Gbenga Adeyanju; and the Divisional Police Officer of Arogbo Police Station.
The judge ruled that the police “breached the fundamental rights of the claimant by invading his home and destroying his properties,” adding that the applicant was unjustly humiliated.
The judge added that the defence of the police was not acceptable to the court and ordered the respondents to jointly pay the sum of N10m as damages to the applicant.
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