By Nsan Ndoma-Neji
A Calabar High Court in Cross River State, Nigeria has ordered the Nigeria police to pay the sum of N1m as damages to Hon. Manghe Romeo Etta, a youth senator representing Manyu Division in Cameroon National Assembly over infringement of fundamental rights.
In a judgement delivered at Calabar High court 13, on Tuesday, the presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Theresa Agom, in suit No: HC/146F/2025, averred that the arrest and detention of the youth senator over allegation of stolen vehicle was unlawful.
The court also ordered the immediate release of Etta’s vehicle, BMW – X1 model with registration number MRA 905 AL, and chassis number WBAVL1C57CVR78137 seized by the police.
READ ALSO: 6 South African Scientists Selected for Prestigious Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany
The court mandated the respondents to immediately release the vehicle to the applicant, having declared his arrest and detention as unlawful.
The applicant, had earlier approached the court to award damages of N200m to him for unlawful detention and breach of his fundamental rights by officers and men of the Nigeria police at Ikom Division police headquarters in Cross River state.
The case is between the Cameroonian youth Senator Manghe Romeo Etta, (applicant) and Assistant Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Police Force, Zone 6 headquarters Calabar, and five other respondents.
Speaking in an interactive session with our Correspondent shortly after the judgment, applicant’s counsel, Armstrong Takim Achu Esq. stated that applicant was able to proof the ownership of the vehicle with verifiable documents, as demanded by the court while the respondents failed to provide any evidence to substantiate their claims.
“At least, the applicant was able to prove his ownership with verifiable documents linking himself and the vehicle.
“The respondents never presented one single evidence to prove the veracity of their defense.
“The honourable court agreed with our position that, the arrest and detention of the applicant, and the impounding and continuous detention of his car, by the R
respondents, was and is, respectively, unlawful.
“And, which acts as gross violation of his fundamental rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he stated
The court however awarded the sum of N1m damages to the applicant, despite the applicant seeking N200m, citing setbacks encountered in the case.
Achu warned that the respondents would face consequences if they fail to comply with the court’s judgment, stating “they will be committing a crime” and may be charged with criminal contempt of court.
However, counsel to 4 – 8 respondents, Nyakno Usen Usoroh, assured that he is certainly going to convey the judgement to the respondents as stated by the court.
