Farmer sues Inspector General of Police, claims N50m as damages

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December 25, 2015 8:36 AM

Solomon Arase, Inspector General of Police has been reportedly sued by one Mr.Ubaka Omeke for asserted harassment and illegal detention, following a land controversy.

Solomon Arase Police acting IG in Nigeria

Solomon Arase, Inspector General of Police has been reportedly sued by one Mr.Ubaka Omeke for asserted harassment and illegal detention, following a land controversy.

Chukwudi Onoja, William Onoja and Sunday Onoja of Enugu Ezike in Igboeze North local government area of Enugu state joined as defendants.

According to the fundamental rights enforcement suit by his counsel, Emmanuel Onaeze, at the Federal High Court, Enugu, Omeke, said that he had been illegally detained at both the Divisional Police Headquarters and Zone 9 Headquarters of the Police in Umuahia over a civil matter. He claims “N50 million from the defendants as exemplary, intensified and general damages against the defendants/ respondents for their violation of his constitutional and fundamental rights.”

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In a 23-point affidavit in support of the suit, Omeke asserted that he was detained at the police station, Ogrute, from where he was later transferred to Umuahia, and detained for six days based on carefree petition written against him by the son of William Onoja, Chukwudi without being charged to court.

The respondent had used policemen and thugs to harrass, intimidate and chase him in order to take over his possession, so he had been in hiding since September 2015.

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Ubaka also explained that the policemen had no right to dabble into land dispute but decided to cause conflict due to special interest.

He wants the court to declare his arrest a restriction of movement and psychological hardship causing a flagrant violation of his fundamental rights and therefore, illegal, unconstitutional as well as ordering a perpetual injunction restricting them from further harassment and intimidation against him.

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