Court Orders Police to Pay N50m in Damages for Rights Violation to Abiola’s Wife

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Court Orders Police to Pay N50m in Damages for Rights Violation to Abiola’s Wife

An Abuja High Court sitting at Gudu has issued an order directing the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to pay the sum of N50 million to Prof. Zainab Duke Abiola, the wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, for violating her fundamental rights. Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi delivered the judgment and further instructed the police authority to issue a public apology to Prof. Abiola in two national dailies.

The court’s decision followed a fundamental human rights enforcement suit brought by Prof. Abiola against the Inspector General of Police, the NPF, Inspector Teju Moses, and Engineer Ibrahim, identified as the son of former IGP Usman Akali Baba.

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In her suit marked FCT/HC/CV/2431/2023, Prof. Abiola alleged that police officers invaded her residence in Abuja in 2022, arrested her while she was in her nightgown, and detained her without trial for three days. She asserted that the police’s actions constituted a gross violation of her fundamental rights and sought damages of N500 million.

The Respondents challenged the competence of the suit, urging the court to dismiss it for lack of merit. They claimed not to know Prof. Abiola and insisted that her allegations were false. In response, the Applicant presented documentary evidence showing her earlier appointment as a Chief Legal Consultant (CLC) by the police.

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In delivering the judgment, Justice Osho-Adebiyi declared that Prof. Abiola’s rights were violated by the police. The court ruled that her detention without arraignment before a competent court and her arrest in her nightgown without the opportunity to dress decently infringed upon her right to personal liberty and dignity. As compensation, the court awarded Prof. Abiola the sum of N50 million against the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Respondents jointly.

Furthermore, the court ordered the Respondents to issue a public apology to Prof. Abiola in two national daily newspapers, in accordance with the provisions of section 35(6) I of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). This judgment underscores the court’s commitment to upholding the fundamental rights of individuals and holding authorities accountable for any violations.

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