The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday awarded a N2 million judgment against the Nigeria Police Force in the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by one Mr. Okwuchukwu Obiechina said to be the brother-in-law of alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans.
Justice Mohammed Idris, in a judgment on Monday, declared Obiechina’s arrest and detention unconstitutional, holding that the remand order which the police claimed to have obtained from a magistrates’ court was invalid.
Obiechina had filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the police for “illegally” detaining him in the course of investigations into Evans’ alleged kidnap.
Aside ordering the police to immediately release Obiechina unconditionally or charge him to court if they have any case against him, the court also awarded N2m damages in his favour against the police.
Justice Idris ordered the police to tender a public apology to Obiechina to be published in two national dailies.