A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Kubwa, Abuja, has ordered the Inspector General of Police to pay the sum of N10,000,000.00 to a citizen, Babakayode Sola Awe, as compensation for his illegal detention from 22nd December 2022 to the 7th of February 2023 at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Area 10, Garki Abuja detention facility.
In a landmark judgement delivered on Monday, the 15th of April 2024 by the Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice O.I. Adelaja, the Court also ordered Access Bank PLC to pay the sum of N3, 000, 000:00 as damages for illegally freezing the account of the detained citizen without the backing of a court order.
The judgement came on the heels of a legal battle initiated by citizen Babakayode Awe against the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Garki Area 10, Abuja and others for the enforcement of his fundamental rights to life, dignity of human person, personal liberty and right to property.
In the amended originating motion filed by his lawyer, Vincent Adodo, citizen Kayode Awe prayed the Court for several reliefs including an order directing the respondents to pay damages of N50,000,000 for his illegal detention and an order directing them to tender a public apology in two national dailies circulating in Lagos and Abuja.
In addition to awarding damages against the Police authorities, the Court ordered the Inspector General of Police, the DG FCID and other Police respondents to tender an apology to the applicant for his illegal detention at the smelly and congested FCID cell.
The court also directed all the banks to unfreeze the bank accounts of the applicant.
