Anambra Pastor, Daddy Hezekiah To Pay Polaris Bank Mgr, Duru N10m For Human Rights Abuse. A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered popular Anambra Cleric and founder of Living Christ Mission, Rev Onokogu Hezekiah, to pay Polaris Bank Manager, Dr Hezekiah Duru the sum of N10 million for unlawful arrest and detention.
The cleric, Daddy Hezekiah, had written a petition against the Applicant, Dr Duru on an alleged financial misappropriation and breach of trust, which resulted in his arrest and detention under police custody.
However, Justice D. Okorowo faulted the action of Daddy Hezekiah and the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police and A.C.P. Asuquo (Officer in Charge of S.I.U of the I.G.P Office), through which the arrest and detention was carried out. Justice Okorowo, in his ruling, held that the action of the Respondents was a denial of the fundamental human right of the applicant, because the allegation was already being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The Court judgment by Justice Okorowo in favour of the Applicant, Dr Duru, held that the order and warrant for the detention of the Applicant obtained by the Respondents from the Nasarawa State Magistrate Courts was unlawful, abuse of powers, abuse of judicial process and an infringement of the Applicant’s right to fair hearing, and personal liberty.
The court equally ordered the release of the Applicant, Amb. Dr. Hezekiah Chinenye Duru forthwith from Police custody, including an Order of injunction, restraining the Nigerian police and it’s officers from arresting, detaining or further violating or doing anything capable of undermining, threatening or interfering on the fundamental rights of the Applicant.
The Court also awarded 10 Million Naira damages jointly and severally against Rev Onukogu and the Nigerian police, the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police and ACP Asuqio.
