Court fines Police N2m for detaining pastor and his wife for over 24 hours

The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) Ikoyi, Lagos which was found guilty of breaching the fundamental human rights of one Reverend Godwin Izuchukwu and his wife Reverend Prayer Godwin by detaining them for 8 days, have been handed a N2m fine by a Federal High Court in Lagos. 

Recounting their ordeal before Justice Sule Hassan’s judgement, the clerics disclosed that they were unlawfully detained from April 24 till May 1, 2019 by the SFU, at the instance of one Jane Nzekwe and Kate Nwuba.

Reverend Godwin Izuchukwu and Reverend Prayer Godwin who sought for N100million as damages, alleged that they were beaten and tortured by the SFU operatives. 

Justice Sule Hassan who ruled on the case which has the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Police Commissioner in-charge of PSFU, Jane Nzekwe and Kate Nwuba as respondents on Wednesday March 11, stated that security operatives infringed the provision of the constitution.

He said; 

“The first and second Respondents did not file a counter affidavit.
“This averment was not denied by the first and second respondents.

“By detaining the Applicant for over 24 hours without charging him to court, the first and second Respondents, I hold, infringed the provision of the constitution.

“The sum of N2 million is awarded as damages against the first and second Respondents (Police).

“The Applicants must submit themselves to the first and second respondents for conclusion of investigation. I hereby order applicants to report to first and second Respondents for conclusion of investigation.”