A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa issued a landmark ruling on Monday, compelling the Department of State Security (DSS) to pay a hefty sum of N300 million in damages for the unlawful arrest and detention of youth activist Collins Opumie for a period exceeding two years.
Opumie had initiated legal action in 2022, filing Suit number YHC/324/2022 to seek redress and demand N9.0 billion in damages following his detention based on a petition lodged by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company. Presiding over the case, Justice Ebiyon Charlie unequivocally declared the claimant’s detention as a flagrant violation of his rights, thus awarding him N300 million as compensation.
Expressing his satisfaction with the judgment, Opumie highlighted the ordeal he endured during his unlawful incarceration, including the denial of medical attention. He expressed gratitude to those who supported him throughout the legal battle, including traditional leaders and his legal counsel, for championing justice.
In his statement of claims, Opumie accused the DSS in Yenagoa of perpetrating his abduction in a manner reminiscent of Gestapo tactics, subjecting him to physical and psychological torture, and transporting him to Abuja without informing his family or providing access to medical care. He had implored the court to declare his arrest, torture, and prolonged detention without proper sustenance, medical care, or familial contact as illegal acts of false imprisonment and malicious prosecution.
Opumie also sought an injunction to prevent further harassment or attempts at arrest and detention orchestrated by the defendants. The ruling serves as a significant victory for Opumie and a stern rebuke against unlawful practices by law enforcement agencies, emphasizing the imperative of upholding human rights and due process.
