Military officer awarded N416 million in damages for wrongful conviction by Nigerian Army
Military officer awarded N416 million in damages for wrongful conviction by Nigerian Army
In a landmark ruling, Justice Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has awarded Major Akeem Oseni N416 million in damages for wrongful conviction, denial of access to his funds, and various other violations of his fundamental rights.
The judgment, handed down on October 28, 2024, followed Oseni’s application to enforce his constitutional rights.
The case, registered as FHC/ABJ/CS/1104/2021, was filed on September 22, 2021, after Oseni challenged the actions of the Nigerian Army and First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
He sought several reliefs, including a declaration that the freezing of his personal bank account by FCMB, upon the Army’s directive, was unlawful. Oseni argued that this action, taken without a valid court order and without providing him an opportunity to defend himself, violated his constitutional rights.
The suit also highlighted the alleged dehumanization Oseni suffered while in custody, alongside the prolonged denial of access to his funds.
Oseni contended that these actions breached his rights as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
In his suit, Oseni sought 13 specific reliefs, including the assertion that the FCMB’s imposition of a post-no-debit order on his account since February 2020, under the Army’s instructions, was illegal.
He argued that this action infringed upon his right to a fair hearing, his presumption of innocence, and his right to own property as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law.
Justice Olotu, in her ruling, found that the Nigerian Army and FCMB had acted beyond their authority. The court determined that the Army had improperly usurped judicial power by ordering the freezing of Oseni’s account, bypassing the necessary legal procedures. As a result, she awarded him N416 million in compensation for the violations he suffered.
Justice Olotu maintained that: “Ironically, the applicant’s finance was not implicated in the investigation of the case of manslaughter against him. And the second respondent knowing better, either for fear of the first respondent or for reasons best known to it obeyed the first respondent’s instructions and froze the applicant’s account. Whatever angle their conducts are viewed from, they acted clearly outside their powers.
“They probably thought that they were above the law. But the principle of exemplary damages will now tell them and show them that they are not above the law and that the law is no respect for anyone who breaks it. It was a big stick which it used and will now use to correct the abusive and excessive tendencies of the respondents.
“The first respondent also acted more than its powers in dehumanising the applicant. The applicant claimed the sum of N2billion award, of general and exemplary damages, I award N100m as general damages and N300m as exemplary damages against the respondents jointly and severally in favour of the applicant.”
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Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has insisted that bail is free, and called on the public to report any officer asking for money to release a suspect on bail.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Adeh spoke in reaction to public outcry that some police officers were demanding money to release suspects on bail in the territory.
She said the report of the erring officers would serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was fraudulent to demand for money to release a suspect on bail.
Adeh blamed the yielding to such fraudulent demand on ignorance on the part of the victims who refused to stand on their rights.
“A similar case was reported where an officer demanded money to release a suspect on bail and when the matter was reported, we requested for evidence from the victim.
“The evidence was provided because the money was transferred to the officer’s account and actions are being taken on the issue.
“So, I encourage the public to take advantage of the FCT Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) lines on 08107314192 to report such misconduct with evidence,” she said.
Adeh urged the public to always insist on their rights and refuse any form of payment to release a suspect on bail.(NAN)
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Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison for obstruction of justice.
The Seoul Central District Court found that the 65-year-old conservative, with the help of the presidential security service, had tried to prevent his own arrest and deleted multiple documents related to the investigation against him.
Yoon shocked the nation by imposing martial law on December 3, 2024, amid a budget dispute with the opposition, plunging the country into a political crisis.
He justified the drastic measure as necessary to protect South Korea’s democratic order and accused the left-leaning opposition of being infiltrated by communists with ties to China and North Korea, though he provided no evidence for these claims.
In a separate trial, prosecutors have sought the death penalty for Yoon on charges of incitement, with a verdict expected on February 19.
While the death penalty remains legally in force in South Korea, it has not been carried out for nearly 30 years.
Yoon’s actions previously alarmed international investors and led to withheld investments, damaging the reputation of South Korea as a political and economic model for the region.
Since last summer, South Korea has been led by President Lee Jae Myung, a left-leaning centrist and long-time political rival of Yoon. (dpa/NAN)
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JUST IN; Imam that famously shielded 262 Christians from death during Plateau attack is dead
JUST IN; Imam that famously shielded 262 Christians from death during Plateau attack is dead
The Imam of Nghar village, Abubakar Abdullahi in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who famously sheltered 262 Christians during communal violence, has passed away.
The Imam’s Son Saleh Abubakar, confirmed the development to Daily Trust on Friday, saying that the cleric died on Thursday night at the Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos.
The Son said, his father “died ten days after he was admitted” in the hospital.
“He was initially diagnosed with a heart problem. He’d go for check-ups and return. His health hadn’t been stable since the heart disease diagnosis.”
Imam Abubakar died at the age of 90. He is survived by 19 children – 12 sons and seven daughters.
Tecall that in June 2018, during violent, faith-based communal clashes that affected 10 villages in Barkin Ladi, Imam Abubakar sheltered 262 Christians in his mosque and residence until the violence subsided, saving them from certain death.
His courage earned him widespread recognition, including the International Religious Freedom Award presented by the United States Department of State in 2019.
The late cleric will be laid to rest on Friday (today) in Nghar village after the Juma’at prayers.
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