The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on December 17, 2024, with case number FHC/ABJ/CS, names the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Police Force National, Cybercrime Center as the 1st to 3rd respondents.
Human rights activist, Olamide Thomas, has filed a fundamental rights lawsuit against the Nigeria Police Force, citing violations of her constitutional rights following her abduction by police officers.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on December 17, 2024, with case number FHC/ABJ/CS, names the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Police Force National, Cybercrime Center as the 1st to 3rd respondents.
Through her legal team, which includes notable lawyers Dr. S. M. Oyeghe, Inibehe Effiong, and Abubakar Marshall, Thomas is seeking the court’s intervention to address what she describes as an infringement on her fundamental rights.
The activist’s legal counsel is requesting appropriate relief from the court to ensure justice and redress for the alleged violations.
The Applicant is seeking: "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.
"AN ORDER directing and/or compelling the Respondents to release the Applicant forthwith or charge her to court.
"AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Respondents or their agents and/or officers from further arresting and detaining the Applicant illegally.
"AN ORDER, directing the Respondents jointly and severally to pay the sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) only as compensation as general /or exemplary damages for the unwarranted infringement of the Applicant’s fundamental rights.
"AN ORDER of this Honourable Court directing the Respondents to tender a formal apology to the Applicant by publishing same in at least two National Dailies.”
“Such order(s) as this Honourable Court may consider just and appropriate to make in the circumstances for the redress of the infringement of the Applicant’s fundamental rights,” it added.
BACKGROUND
SaharaReporters reported on Monday that Thomas, a female activist arrested on Friday for allegedly insulting the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had been moved to the Force headquarters in Abuja.
SaharaReporters learned on Monday that Abiodun endured inhumane treatment on Saturday and remained detained at Nigeria's National Cyber-Crime Centre, Abuja. Sources revealed that she had been held for days without charges or court appearance, and denied administrative bail.
SaharaReporters reported on Friday that Abiodun, whose alternate identity is Horlarmidey Africano, was poised for transfer to the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Previously detained at the Lagos State Police Command, Abiodun's arrest was reportedly instigated by Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer. Her detention stemmed from candid remarks criticizing police misconduct, of which she herself had been a victim, thereby attracting unwarranted attention from law enforcement authorities.
Confidential sources revealed to SaharaReporters that Superintendent of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson for the Lagos Police Command, intimated to select acquaintances that Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun harbored keen interest in Abiodun's case, indicating an uncompromising stance.
Previously, on November 8, SaharaReporters reported Abiodun's apprehensions regarding her safety, alleging targeted harassment by Adejobi.
Furthermore, sources disclosed to SaharaReporters on Monday that Abiodun, a duly licensed nursing professional, endured inhumane treatment at the hands of Nigerian Police operatives, subjected to appalling and unimaginable conditions, eliciting profound concern.
According to one of the sources, Thomas was initially arrested on October 20, 2024, when she was beaten and slapped several times.
Additionally, Abiodun suffered injuries at the Lekki Toll Gate, where a tear gas canister was fired at her leg and she was repeatedly struck with a firearm.
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