By Festus Ahon, Ughelli
A Delta State High Court sitting in Ughelli, has awarded damages of N1.4million against the State Commissioner of Police, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Ughelli A Division and two others for violating the rights of a welder, Mr. Ojagbor Richard Akpobome.

The court presided over by Justice G.E. Akperi also awarded the sum of N200,000 to Mr. Akpobome for his unlawful detention by the defendants.

Lead counsel to Akpobome had in suit No.UHC/M/28/2010, sought the enforcement of his Fundamental Human Rights under Section 46 of the Constitution, saying “the arrest and continued detention of the Applicatants for 9 days, commencing on 1/7/2010 to 9/7/2010 by the 2nd, 3rd  and the 4th Respondents” in police cell of ‘A’ Divisional Police headquarters, Ughelli without the Applicant charged to court for any criminal offence  violates the Applicant fundamental rights guaranteed under section 35 (1) (4) and (5) and 36 (5) of the 1999 constitution and provisions of the African Chapter on Human and People’s Right.

“That the beating, torture and dehumanization of the Applicant on a daily basis for 9 days upon his arrest and detention and the stripping naked of the Applicant in his workshop premises by the 1st,3rd, and 4th respondents and team members violates Applicant Fundamental Right guaranteed under section 34 (1) (a) and 36(5) of the 1999 constitution and provisions of the African Charter on Human and people’s Right.

“That the seizure of the Applicant properties and detentions of same at the “A” Divisional Police Headquarter, Ughelli for One (1) month and Eighteen (18) days before released to the Applicant violate the Applicant Fundamental Right guaranteed under section 44(1) of the 1999 constitution and provisions of the African Charter on Human and People’s Right.”