Court slams N20m damages against AIG, two others for unlawful arrest of village head

On Thursday, an Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo ruled in favor of the village head of Ikot Oku Ikono, Eteidung Okon Nnanah, awarding twenty million Naira (N20 million) in damages against the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Zone 6 Calabar, and two others. The damages were granted due to the unlawful arrest and detention of Eteidung Okon Nnanah.

Justice Ntong, the presiding judge, held the AIG and the two co-respondents responsible for violating the fundamental rights of the applicant. The court ordered the police to pay the sum of N20 million to the royal father for his arrest on February 28, 2022, and April 28, 2022, at the Anti-Cultism Unit of the State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan, and the continuous harassment he endured thereafter.

In apportioning the damages, Justice Ntong specified that Jimmy Godwin, who allegedly instigated the police against the Village Head, is to pay N10 million. The AIG, who authorized the unlawful action, is directed to pay N6 million, and Inspector Wofai Johnson, an Investigative Police Officer of the Anti-Vice Unit, Zone 6, Calabar, who followed the unlawful order of the AIG, is to pay N4 million to the village head.

The court emphasized that the police’s actions subjected the village head to consistent aggravated and psychological harassment, solely because he was fulfilling his constitutional duties for his community. Justice Ntong also noted that the police chose to remain indifferent after being served with the originating processes in the case.

Furthermore, the court urged the Nigeria Police to adopt a more discreet and civil approach in their investigations, especially in civil and contractual matters.