Judge Orders Police To Pay Victim Of SARS Harassment Compensation Of N3 Million

The Nigeria Police Force has been ordered to pay N3 million to one Kingsley Efobi, for violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty. The order was issued by FCT High Court, Maitama on Tuesday 13th March 2018. 

On May 10, 2017, Efobi filed a suit against the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, for violating his fundamental right.

Justice Jude Okeke, delivering judgment in the suit filed by Efobi, held that there was no basis for the court to disbelieve the evidence of Efobi, which was not contradicted by the respondents. He held that in order to ensure that Efobi was protected from further violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty, in facts of this matter, the court would be minded in line with the provision of 46 (1) of the Constitution.

“Accordingly, an order of perpetual injunction is granted, restraining the respondents, their agents or servants from harassing the applicant on account of the subject matter of this suit. The respondents jointly and severally are ordered to pay to the applicant a sum of N2 million damages for breaking his right to personal liberty. N1million for violating his right not to be subjected to inhuman treatment,’’ the judge held.

Okeke also ordered that the respondent jointly return to Efobi a sum of N16,500 being the money extorted from him by the officers of the respondent. He also ordered that the respondent pay the applicant N50,000 for emerging successfully from the suit.

Okeke held that the order by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad to Efobi to remove his sandals, sit on a bare floor, give up his handset, as well as his detention, was a violation of his right.

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