BREAKING NEWS: COURT AWARDS N10.9MN DAMAGES AGAINST IGP AND OTHERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION.

BREAKING NEWS: COURT AWARDS N10.9MN DAMAGES AGAINST IGP AND OTHERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION......Slammed police for invasion, assault, violence and unprofessional conducts.

  A High Court sitting  in Arochukwu, Abia State on Tuesday 10th May, 2022 found the Nigeria Police Force guilty of Human Rights violations and ordered the Abia State Commissioner of Police, DSP Aniefiok Sampson and Inspector Etim Etim of the Force to pay the sum of N10.9 million to the Applicant.

In a suit marked HAR/2hc/2022 the Applicant, Chief Pascal Kanu, Chairman of Paviosca Hotel Limited Umudike, Umuahia through his Counsel Bar G.U Obinnaya in a motion dated 22nd March, 2022 asked the court among other things to make a declaration that the invasion of Paviosca Hotel at 22:00 hours on 4th December, 2021 which led to destruction of CCTV system and other properties without any lawful justification was unconstitutional, illegal  and infact a derogation of the Applicant's right to dignity of his person and right to own immovable property as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Joined in the suit as respondents were the Inspector General of Police (IGP) as 1st, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone9 Umuahia as 2nd, Abia State Commissioner of Police as 3rd, Police Service Commission (PSC) as 4th defendant, DSP Aniefiok Sampson as 5th and Inspector Etim Etim as 6th respondent. The suit was brought pursuant to Order 2 Rule 1,2,3 4 and 5 of Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Proceedure) Rule 2009, Order 39 Rule (1) and (2) of the Abia State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2014 and Section 43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended). The Inspector General of Police and other mentioned respondents did not put up appearance throughout the duration of the hearing.

Delivering judgment, the Presiding Judge, Hon Justice Benson Anya frowned at the impunity and unprofessional conduct of Police which led to such massive and avoidable destructions. He further slammed police for first destroying the CCTV camera system that would have aided them in their investigation while at same time stealing cash belonging to the Applicant which speared premeditated. The judge further held that the conduct was unacceptable and gross violation of Human Rights. The court believed that the 3rd, 5th and 6th defendants were directly instrumental to the violations and therefore ordered them  to pay the Applicant the sum of N2,819,400 as cash forcefully removed from Paviosca Hotel and N8,000,000 as cost for Human Right Violations. The Judge noted with anger the refusal of the respondents to appear in court.

Speaking after the judgement, Barr Obinnaya expressed satisfaction as he described it as a landmark judgment and victory for Human Right Enforcers. He contended that it's a victory for the people and hailed the judge for sound judgment. He further revealed that the Commissioner of Police  ignored the directive of the IGP for the matter to be properly investigated based on petition by the Applicant hence, her failure necessitated the filing of the case. He stated that the petition gave details of the forceful invasion and intimation of armless and defenceless customers and staff by Police Team without uniform which initially raised fears of possible armed robbery attack. In the heat of that, the officers extorted N1,117,000 from one of the customers by name David and his girlfriend and allowed them to go whereas 11 others were charged to court. The transfers were made via Zenith Bank account for N400,000.00 and Crypto transaction valued at N717,000 through Access Bank . These are facts presented to IGP in the petition yet, Police turned blind eyes and refused to take actions against the erring officers. He explained that the Attorney General of the State has indicated interest to take over the matter as he had already called for the case file.  On the cost, he explained that they expected higher costs against NPF but expressed satisfaction at the wisdom of the trial judge. He concluded by advising the Police to end every form of human right violations and be more professional in operation.

Petition to IGP gives full details of the cases. The detailed transactions and damages to the hotel facility is also attached.