- The inspector general of police have been ordered to pay N10 million as damage to a driver James Ofori
- The court also ordered an immediate release of Ofori from police detention
- According to the court, Ofori was arrested and long detained by the Police illegally
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday, May 13, ordered the inspector general of police, to immediately release a driver, Jones Ofori, also known as James Ofori, who has been in prison custody since 2013 without trial.
Daily Independent reports that the judge over the matter, Justice Sule Hassan, ordered the IGP pay a N10 million as damages to Ofori for his unlawful arrest and prolonged illegal detention.
The court in its judgement in an enforcement of fundamental rights suit filed by Ofori through his lawyer, Adewale A. Fadipe, said ofori was arrested and detained illegally.
In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/887/18 with the Federal Government of Nigeria, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Deputy-Controller of Prison (DCP) as respondents, Ofori prayed the court to make a declaration that his arrest and detention for two weeks and a week at Ajiwe Police Station and Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Ikeja respectively is illegal.
READ ALSO: I didn’t decamp from PDP, I only moved - Akpabio tells court
He also prayed the court make a declaration that his arrest and detention constitutes an infringement of his fundamental rights to personal liberty as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Ofori asked the court to award the sum of N50 million in his favour, for his unlawful arrest, detention and illegal prolonged detention in the custody of the Nigeria Police.
It was gathered that the driver noted that sometimes in year 2013, he was employed by one Mr. Ikechukwu to be driving a car for commercial purpose and he was delivering the sum of N350,000 as returns monthly.
However, on November 14, 2013, at about 9 pm, after closing from work for the day, Ofori said he had parked the car at a general car park around his house in Ajah, Lagos.
He said that on November 14, at about 6 am, on getting to where the car was parked in order to clean it and get ready for the day’s work, he discovered that the car was missing and was later arrested by the police.
PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, October 15, ordered the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to pay N10 million as compensation to one Aondofa Shenge for violating his fundamental human rights.
The judge, Justice John Tsoho, in his judgment, also restrained the police from further arrest and detention of Shenge.
Tsoho upheld the prayers of the counsel to the applicant, Matthew Onoja, and dismissed the preliminary objection raised by counsel to the police, Matthew Omosun.
NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service!
Nigerian women protest against harassment of ladies in Abuja | Legit TV
Source: Legit
