Court Slams N2m Fine On Police For Illegally Detaining Pastor, Wife

Justice Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos has imposed a N2 million fine on the Nigeria Police Force for illegally detaining a couple beyond the constitutional stipulated time.

Justice Hassan order the Police to pay the couple, Reverend Godwin Izuchukwu and his wife, Reverend Prayer Godwin the money for detaining them for eight days without charging them to court

The respondents in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/699/19, are: Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Police Commissioner in-charge of Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Jane Nzekwe and Kate Nwuba.

The Godwins had told the judge in their motion on notice that they were unlawfully detained from April 24, till May 1, 2019 by PSFU Ikoyi, at the instance of Nzekwe and Nwuba, without a court order.

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The applicants had claimed that Mrs Godwin was beaten and tortured by the SFU.

The applicants sought N100million as damages against the respondents jointly and severally.

The third and fourth respondents, Jane and Kate, through their counsel, Gift Ike, prayed the court to dismiss the application.

The IGP and SFU did not file any defence.

Justice Hassan noted, “The first and second Respondents did hot file a counter affidavit.

He held, “This averment was not denied by the first and second respondent.

“By detaining the Applicant for over 24 hours without charging him to court, the first and second Respondents, I hold, infringed the provision of the constitution.

“The sum of N2 million is awarded as damages against the first and second Respondents (Police).

“The Applicants must submit themselves to the first and second respondents for conclusion of investigation.

“I hereby order applicants to report to first and second Respondents for conclusion of investigation.