A Delta state High Court sitting in Ozoro has imposed fine of N310 million against the Nigeria Police Force and its officers for unlawful arrest, harassment and detention of a lawyer, Otedjere Jude.
In a judgment delivered by Justice E. O. Odebala, the court awarded N300 million as compensation against the police for unlawful arrest and detention of the lawyer from Sept. 29, 2025 to Sept. 30 2025.
The court also awarded ₦10 million as cost of litigation in favour of the applicant.
In the certified true copy of the judgment, the case arose from a fundamental rights enforcement application filed by the lawyer against the police.
Respondents in the case are several police officers in Kwale; the Commissioner of Police, Delta State; the Inspector-General of Police; the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission.
The lawyer approached the court through an originating motion filed on Nov. 28, 2025, pursuant to Sections 33(1), 34, 35, 37, 40, 41 and 46(1 & 2) ofdents and awarded ₦5 million cost against them.
At the instance of the applicant’s counselReacting to the judgment, RocksonIgelige, a lawyer and member of Nigeria Bar Association, Oleh branch in Delta said it is a confirmation that the rule of law is alive in Nigeria.
He said the judgment would serve as deterrent to the police to desist from the unlawful detention of innocent Nigerians.
Igelige recalled that the NBA Oleh branch, the jurisdiction of the applicant, had written a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Delta against the Divisional Police Officer of Kwale, CSP John Gaga over the matter.
He said the NBA would follow up on the case to ensure that the judgment is implemented. NAN
