Anietie Udobit, Abuja
The federal high court in Lagos has ordered the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to pay N10 million damages for breaching the fundamental rights of #EndSARS protesters.
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Justice Musa Kakaki accused the police of violating the fundamental rights of the protesters who had gathered at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2024, to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS demonstrations.
Recall Lagos state police command arrested at least 20 demonstrators at Lekki Toll gate and detained them in a police van for several hours before releasing them without charge.
The applicants had sought redress for what they described as unlawful arrest and violation of their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The suit, filed as a fundamental rights enforcement action, was instituted by 22 individuals alongside three civic organisations — Education Rights Campaign, Take It Back Movement, and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights.
The protesters who filed the suit include Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, Osugba Blessing, Kayode Agbaje, Michael Adedeji, Jennifer Rita Obiora, Orunsola Oluremi, Seyi Akinde, Akin Okunowon, Ugochukwu Prince, Aisha Omolara, Thomas Abiodun Olamide, Ogbu Obinna Ferdinald, Aghedo Kehinde Stephen, Duroonike Olawale, Isaac Obasi, Funmilayo Jolade Ajayi, and Afeez Suleiman.
The inspector-general of police, the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos state commissioner of police, chairman of the Lagos state task force, Governor of Lagos state, and the attorney-general of Lagos state were the responded suits.
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