The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Abuja to pay musician, Charles Oputa (Charly Boy) N50million for violating his rights.
Justice John Tsoho, in a judgment on Monday, also ordered the Police to tender public apology to him, which should be published in two national newspapers.
The applicant had, in an affidavit, said policemen, numbering over 100 from the Federal Capital Territory (FC() Police Command, invaded the Unity Fountain in Abuja on August 8, 2017 and attacked him and his group with teargas canisters, hot water cannon and wild police dogs during the Resume or Resign protest when he led other activists to protest the prolonged absence of President Muhammadu Buhari from Nigeria on account of his medical vacation in the United Kingdom.
He claimed that the attack by the policemen was so severe that he collapsed in the process and was rushed to the hospital.
Oputa claimed that the police attacked them because of claims that their protest over the President’s absence, which had exceeded 90 days on the second day of their daily sit-out protest, had gone international and brought serious embarrassment to the country.
Justice Tsoho, in the judgement rejected the respondents’ claim that miscreants invaded or stormed the premises of the protest. The judge said there was no evidence to support such claim.
The judge said the applicant was entitled, under the Constitution, to stage a peaceful protest.
Justice Tsoho noted that protest is a constitutionally guaranteed right, provided it is done peacefully.
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