The Ogun State Commissioner of Police and five others have been handed a fine of N25 million by a High Court of Justice in Ogun State, Abeokuta Judicial Division, for the unlawful arrest and detention of one Sunday Mafe, News About Nigeria reports.
This was contained in a document signed by Justice E.O. Osinuga on Monday, February 5, 2024.
The court determined that Mafe’s repeated detention by Nigerian Police Force personnel violated his fundamental human rights.
The applicant, Made, had been held in detention several times, including from December 2 to 5, 2016; December 16 to 20, 2016; and December 23 to 29, 2016, based on a petition that was written by Yomi Nuberu, a lawyer, on behalf of one Chief Sakirudeen Olufowobi, over a civil and land matter.
The judge, however, held that the detentions were without lawful justification, unconstitutional, and unlawful, adding that the police had no jurisdiction over the matter.
The court also warned the police that their job does not include civil transactions, disputes, contracts, or land disputes.
The case with suit no. HCJ/150/2017 was between the applicant, Sunday Mafe, and the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State; former Area Commander, Ijebu Ode, Assistant Commissioner of Police Funsho Ajao (retd.); Team Leader Eleweran, Inspector Rotimi; Team Leader Eleweran, Supol Nurudeen Ayinla; Team Leader, Igbeba, Inspector Gbenga Folorunso, and Team Leader, Igbeba, Inspector Wasiu Tijani.
The application was brought by the breach of Section 125A Criminal Code CAP C38 and the breach of the applicant’s fundamental human rights as enshrined in Sections 34 and 45 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
