An Abuja division of the Federal High Court has ordered the State Security Services (SSS) to pay the sum of N5 million as exemplary damage to Emeka Ngornadi as compensation for his detention since April 2021.
The court gave the order in its judgement and directed the SSS to immediately and unconditionally release Mr Ngornadi.
In April 2021, the SSS arrested Mr. Ngornadi, who was a businessman and he remained in detention.
Background
Ngornadi was on his way from Lagos to Anambra State in April to meet with his pregnant wife when he was accosted and arrested at Ore, Ondo State, by SSS officials.
In his affidavit, he submitted that SSS had detained him for about one month in Lagos before he was transferred to Abuja where he was currently being detained.
The affidavit also claimed that Ngornadi was forcefully tortured to identify himself as a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
In a fundamental rights enforcement suit, Ngornadi through his lawyer had approached the court in September 2021.
He sought among other reliefs a declaration that his arrest and continued detention without probable cause violated his rights as enshrined in the constitution.
He sought “An order of the court directing SSS to immediately and unconditionally release him.
He also prayed for “An injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, their servants, agents, officers or otherwise howsoever from further arresting and detaining the applicant and constituting a threat or hindrance to the applicant’s life, property, and investments and business in any manner whatsoever”
Court’s Decision
Delivering Judgment, justice Maha ordered SSS to immediately and unconditionally release him.
Justice Maha who described the arrest as illegal and unconstitutional condemned the arrest and detention of Mr. Ngornadi. She awarded the sum of N5 million in favour of Ngornadi as compensatory and exemplary damages.
