Ozoro: A Delta state High Court sitting in Ozoro has imposed a fine of N310 million against the Nigeria Police Force and its officers for unlawful arrest, harassment, and detention of a lawyer, Otedjere Jude.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the judgment was delivered by Justice E. O. Odebala, who awarded N300 million as compensation against the police for the unlawful arrest and detention of the lawyer from September 29, 2025, to September 30, 2025. Additionally, the court awarded N10 million as litigation costs in favor of the applicant.
The case emerged from a fundamental rights enforcement application filed by the lawyer against the police. The respondents in the case include several police officers in Kwale, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Police Service Commission.
The lawyer approached the court through an originating motion filed on November 28, 2025, citing various sections of the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009. He challenged his arrest and detention at Kwale Police Station, describing the police’s actions as unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental rights.
Justice Odebala held that the police’s actions constituted a gross violation of the applicant’s rights, stating, “The applicant did not commit any offence to warrant the respondent to arrest and detain the applicant or take any step that is inconsistent with the fundamental rights of the applicant as guaranteed and protected under the 1999 Constitution.”
The judge further noted that none of the respondents filed any counter-affidavit to challenge the facts presented by the applicant, leading the court to presume the respondents accepted the applicant’s facts. Attempts by the police to file last-minute applications to halt the delivery of judgment were also criticized and struck out by the court, which described such moves as unacceptable.
Justice Odebala also granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the police and their agents from any actions against the applicant related to the suit. The criminal charge filed against the lawyer was struck out as well.
Reacting to the judgment, Rockson Igelige, a lawyer and member of the Nigeria Bar Association, Oleh branch in Delta, stated that the ruling confirms the presence of the rule of law in Nigeria and serves as a deterrent to the police against the unlawful detention of innocent Nigerians. The NBA Oleh branch had previously petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Delta, concerning the matter, and Igelige assured that the NBA would ensure the judgment’s implementation.