Court Imposes N3million Sanction On Police For Illegal Arrest Of Monarch In Rivers

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to compensate Eze Ekpeye Logbo, Kelvin Anugwo, with the sum of N3 million for unlawfully arresting and detaining him for over 82 days in connection with the death of the late Ahoada Divisional Police officer, SP Bako Ambgashim.

Justice A.M. Oriye, who gave the ruling on Tuesday, also mandated the police to issue a public apology to Eze Anugwo in a national newspaper for violating his fundamental rights.

The court issued an injunction barring the police from further arresting, threatening, or harassing the applicant regarding the death of the late SP Ambgashim.

An additional sum of N200,000 was awarded to the applicant for the breach of his fundamental human rights.

Following the verdict, counsel to the monarch, Ikashi Saturday-Emehi, described the judgment as ”justice for the Ekpeye people.”

It would be recalled that Angbashim was murdered in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state by suspected cultists.

He was reported to have been ambushed while returning from an operation.

The police vowed to leave no stone unturned until his killers were apprehended. This led to the arrest of several suspects, including the traditional ruler. However, the court freed many of the arrested suspects.