Police unlawful detention has cost the Nigeria Police Force N12 million after a court ruled in favour of The Whistler journalist Kasarahchi Aniagolu.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided over by Justice Bello Kawu, ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay N12 million in damages over the abduction and unlawful detention of the journalist. According to a statement issued by The Whistler on Friday, Aniagolu was arrested, assaulted and detained for eight hours on February 21, 2024, in Abuja.
The journalist was arrested in Wuse Zone 4, where police officers were reportedly carrying out a covert operation targeting operators of illegal bureau de change businesses. She later filed a lawsuit on October 25, 2024, against the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force, seeking N100 million in damages.
In her suit, filed by Adekunle Kosoko, Esq., of Seasons Law Firm, Abuja, Aniagolu alleged that police officers abducted her, seized her mobile phone and deleted photographs stored on the device. She also accused the officers of subjecting her to inhuman treatment during her detention, arguing that her fundamental rights had been violated.
Delivering judgment on July 29, 2026, Justice Bello Kawu declared that the police “subjected the Applicant to inhuman and degrading treatment in contravention of Section 34(1)(a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).” The court further ruled that the “abduction of the Applicant by officers of the Respondents and the subsequent detention of the Applicant at the Respondents’ station in Guzape District of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, infringed on the Applicant’s right to personal liberty, in contravention of Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
The court awarded N10 million as damages for the violation of her fundamental rights and an additional N2 million to cover litigation costs. As of the time the report was filed, the Nigeria Police Force had not responded to the judgment. The ruling marks a significant decision in the police unlawful detention case and reinforces constitutional protections against unlawful arrest and detention. The police unlawful detention judgment also highlights the legal consequences of violating citizens’ fundamental rights.
Do you think court rulings like this will improve accountability within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies?
