Court Orders Payment Of N10m To Amb. Duru Over Unlawful Arrest, Detention

  A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has awarded the the sum of N10 million to Ambassador (Dr) Hezekiah Chinenye Duru, over his unlawful arrest and detention in police custody. The arrest and detention of Ambassador Duru followed a petition on an alleged financial misappropriation and breach of trust. Justice D. Okorowo, in his […]

 

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has awarded the the sum of N10 million to Ambassador (Dr) Hezekiah Chinenye Duru, over his unlawful arrest and detention in police custody.

The arrest and detention of Ambassador Duru followed a petition on an alleged financial misappropriation and breach of trust.

Justice D. Okorowo, in his ruling, held that the action of the respondents was a denial of the fundamental human right of the applicant, Ambassador Duru, because the allegation was already being investigated.

In the suit: FHC/ABJ/CS/3/2024, Justice D. Okorowo also faulted the warrant order obtained from the Nasarawa State Magistrate Court.

The Court judgment by Justice Okorowo in favour of the Applicant, holds as follows;

(1) A declaration is made that the arrest, detention and purported investigation of the Applicant from the 11th day of December 2023 till 29th day of December 2023 by the Respondents on the petition of the 1st Respondent on an allegation of financial misappropriation/embezzlement/cheating/breach of trust already being investigated is an infringement of the Applicant’s right to personal liberty, fair hearing, right to dignity of his person as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 and African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

(2) A declaration is made that the order/warrant for the detention of the Applicant obtained by the Respondents from the Nasarawa State Magistrate Courts is unlawful, abuse of powers, abuse of judicial process and an infringement of the Applicant’s right to fair hearing, and personal liberty.

(3) An Order is made directing the release of the Applicant, Amb. Dr. Hezekiah Chinenye Duru forthwith from Police custody.

(4) An Order of injunction is made restraining the Nigerian police and it’s officers from arresting, detaining or further violating or doing anything capable of undermining, threatening or interfering on the fundamental rights of the Applicant, His Excellency Amb. Dr. Hezekiah Chinenye Duru.

(5) An award of 10 Million Naira Damages jointly and severally against Rev Onukogu and the Nigerian police, the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police and ACP Asuqou (the officer in Charge of the Special Investigation Unit of the IGP office)