Alleged Unlawful Detention: Activist Sues IGP For N100m
2 years ago 3 min read
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Human rights activist, Olamide Thomas, also known as “Horlarmidey Africano,” has filed a lawsuit against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over alleged violation of her rights following her arrest by police officers.
The suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on December 17, has the IGP, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Police Force National, Cybercrime Center, as 1st to 3rd respondents.
The activist filed the suit through her legal team which includes Dr. S. M. Oyeghe, Inibehe Effiong, and Abubakar Marshall.
Thomas was arrested by the Nigerian police force on Friday, December 13, in her home in the Somolu area of Lagos following her criticism of police brutality and misconduct.
According to reports, she was taken to Alade Police Station before being transferred to the State Command in Ikeja, Lagos and then to the Force headquarters in Abuja where she is said to still be held.
The activist is therefore seeking intervention from the court to ensure justice and redress for the violation of her fundamental rights.
Among reliefs sought by the plaintiff include; “A DECLARATION that the arrest and detention of the Applicant by the men, officers and agents of the Respondents since Friday 13th December, 2024, over a purported Facebook video and exposing her to all manner of inhuman and degrading treatment constitutes a gross violation of the Applicant’s fundamental right to dignity of human person, guaranteed and protected by Section 34 (1) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Articles 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“A DECLARATION that the arrest and detention of the Applicant by men, officers and agents of the Respondents on Friday 13th December, 2024, till the time of filing this action over a purported Facebook video is illegal, unlawful and constitutes a gross violation of the Applicant’s fundamental right to liberty guaranteed and protected by Section 35 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Articles 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“A DECLARATION that the forceful movement of the Applicant from Shomolu, Lagos, where she resides to Abuja on 14th December, 2024 to Abuja was illegal, unlawful and a violation of her fundamental human rights to freedom of movement guaranteed and protected by section 41 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
She also asked the court to issue an order directing the police to immediately release her or charge her to court, as well as restraining the respondents from further arresting or detaining her.
Subsequently, she asked the court to direct the respondents to pay her the sum of N100m only as compensation for the damages she suffered during her ordeal and the unwarranted infringement of the Applicant’s fundamental rights.
Furthermore, the activist prayed the court to direct the respondents to issue a public formal apology to her and publish same in at least two newspapers.
