The FCT High Court ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay one million naira damages to one Mark Sani for violating his human rights by detaining him for seven days without going to court.
In 2014, one Paul Udofia, who is the first defendant in the case, had bought a plot of land situated at Lugbe, Abuja, from Sani.
The plot was later revoked by the FCT administration. According to Sani’s lawyer, Sani bought the land from the Abuja Municipal Area Council before the FCTA began the revocation. Following the development, plot and estate owners in the affected area had held series of meetings with the then-FCT minister, Bala Mohammed. Mohammed pledged to reallocate other plots of land to the affected owners.
Udofia, however, refused to excercise patience and reported to the police that Sani sold a fake land of plot to him and failed to address the complaints.
The counsel said Sani explained the matter to the police and pleaded for administrative bail, but was detained for two days. After that, the matter was transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, where Sani was detained for five more days.
According to the constitution, a person arrested by the police upon suspicion of committing a crime must be charged to court within a reasonable period of time.
Justice Halilu Yusuf ruled that the law enforcement agency breached Sani’s fundamental human rights.
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