The Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed Felix Okonkwo’s appeal against the Police and the Department of State Security Services (DSS) for unlawfully arresting and detaining Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), stating that it lacked merit and substance.
Justice Okon Abang delivered the judgment on Monday, stating that the appellant failed to prove any miscarriage of justice in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja’s ruling on the matter.
Background
Felix Okonkwo, Ikenna Chibuike, and Okafor Ugochukwu had sued the Nigeria Police Force and the SSS for violating their fundamental rights by unlawfully arresting and detaining them on September 27, 2021, during which they alleged torture, harassment, and intimidation while in police custody.
Justice Samaila Bature had previously found the Police liable for the unlawful arrest and detention and imposed a fine of N2 million against them to be paid to the appellants. However, there was no order against the DSS because the plaintiffs did not establish any cause of action against them.
Dissatisfied with the judgment, the plaintiffs approached the Court of Appeal seeking to hold the DSS accountable for their arrest and detention and to increase the compensation amount.
Court’s decision
Justice Abang disagreed with the appellants’ claims, stating that the video footage presented by them did not show the involvement of the DSS in their arrest.
He also upheld the previous judgment’s compensation amount, stating that it was properly awarded based on the circumstances of the case.
The appeal was dismissed, and the decision of the trial court was affirmed. Justices Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole and Abba Bello Mohammed concurred with Justice Abang’s judgment.