Court Imposes N300Million Fine On DSS, AGIP Over Illegal Detention Of Activist In Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa has sanctioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NOAC) over the illegal arrest and detention of a youth activist, Mr Collins Opumie, for over two years.

Justice Ebiyon Duke Charlie of the court also awarded the claimant N300 million in damages against the defendants.

In his ruling on the suit numbered YHC/324/2022 on Monday, the presiding judge declared that the claimant was forcefully imprisoned and should be awarded N300 million as compensation.

Speaking after the ruling, the counsel for the claimant, Ebipreye K.V. Sese Esq. Sese, said, "It's a serious congratulation to the claimant, Comrade Opuene, that at the end of the day, the court saw merit in his case and gave a favourable judgement.

"The case entirely was two, false imprisonment and malicious persecution, and the court successfully upheld the issue of false imprisonment, and on the malicious persecution was disagreed on, but it's still a win-win for the claimant.

"I’m believing strongly that justice is seen to have been served. I appreciate the judiciary as a matter of fact, the judiciary system in Nigeria is one that we can rely on in the dispensation of justice, and that we have achieved today.

"I’m well satisfied with the judgement because there must be an end to litigation. The court has come to its conclusion to uphold the claimant's claim that he was forcefully imprisoned and is entitled to N300 million, it's a good judgement.

"It is often said that the judiciary is the hope of the common man. This is one particular instance that it has been established that indeed the judiciary is the hope of the people."

On his part, the activist, Opuene, said he was satisfied with the judgement because his right was trampled upon, adding that he was denied medical attention and his rights were violated.

"I am happy even when all our expectations were not met, I thank all those who stood by me, the traditional rulers and my lawyer for standing by the truth," he said.

Opuene, in a statement of claims, had accused the DSS in Yenagoa of allegedly abducting him at the instance of the NAOC.

He said he was physically and mentally tortured, tied and thrown inside the boot of a vehicle and taken to Abuja like a common criminal without the knowledge of his family or access to medical care.

The Bayelsa Youth Activists, Comrade Collins Trueman Opumie, filed a suit against his illegal arrest and detention with demands for the sum of N9 billion in damages.