A Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Gudu Judicial Division Abuja, has declared the arrest, detention and torture of Mrs Ngozi Umeadi by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Unit, then led by disgraced DSP Abba Kyari as illegal.
The court on Thursday delivered the Judgement in a Fundamental Rights Suit by the lawyer of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor challenging the illegal arrest, torture and continued detention of Umeadi since February 2021 till date.
In His Judgement, Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi of Court No. 28, Gudu Judicial Division, Abuja, declared Ngozi Umeadi’s arrest and continued detention by the Operatives of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Unit, hitherto led by Abba Kyari, as illegal, and a gross violation of her fundamental Human Rights.
The Court further directed for her immediate and unconditional release from custody and consequently awarded exemplary and aggravated damages of N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira Only) against the Police as reparation.
The Court further directed in her Judgement that the Police should tender an unreserved apology to Mrs Ngozi Umeadi, which apology will be published in two National Dailies.
Ejiofor in a statement said “We SHALL leave no stone unturned to ensure that the terms of this judgment are carried out to the letter.
“We shall also be speedily following up on prompt compliance with these terms of judgment, while other pending applications affecting others still in this category are being addressed in Court. Do not lose hope.
“However, be assured that justice can only be delayed but not denied. All persons illegally arrested and still being detained by the lawless Nigerian Security Agencies shall get justice. We are not relenting.
“We shall give a further update on the outcome of today’s visit to our indefatigable Client-Mazi Nnamdi Kanu once the visit is concluded. The future is very bright indeed.
“With your understanding and prayers, we shall surmount all the unsurmountable using the extant judicial and civil process”.
