Two Okuama community leaders, who were among the six detained by military personnel in Ughelli South, Delta State, have filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Federal High Court in Warri.
The lawsuit seeks N200 million in damages in two separate fundamental rights suits, alleging that the respondents violated their rights.
James Oghorokor and Dennis Okugbaye are challenging their arrests and continued detention through separate legal actions.
Two of their lawyers, Mr. Malcolm Omirhobo and Mr. Akpokona Omafuaire, contend that the lack of charges in court and the denial of counsel violated their clients’ rights.
Military officials arrested Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mr. James Oghoroko, Dennis Okugbaye, Pa Anthony Ahwemuria, and Mrs. Rita Akata between 18 and 20 August 2024, and they have since remained in unknown detentions, according to Persecondnews.
In suit no. FHC/WR/CS/84/2024 between James Oghorokor and the Nigerian Army and two others, the applicant is demanding N100m for his illegal arrest and detention without trial.
Similarly, in suit no. FHC/WR/CS/85/2024 between Dennis Okugbaye, the Nigerian Army, and two others, the applicant is also demanding N100m for his illegal arrest and detention without trial.
The applicants, through their separate suits, are asking the court to declare that the unauthorized invasion of their homes is a clear violation of their fundamental rights to privacy and dignity, and therefore, it is illegal, unlawful, and contrary to the provisions of the Constitution.
The applicants also requested a court declaration, arguing that their warrantless arrest on August 19, 2024, prolonged detention, and the respondents’ refusal to allow them access to their lawyer and family, along with their failure to charge them in court since August 19, 2024, constitute an egregious violation of their fundamental right to personal liberty, rendering their actions illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional.
They also asked the court to rule that keeping the applicants in jail since August 19, 2025, and not letting them move around without a court order was violating their basic rights to freedom of movement and was therefore illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional.
The applicants urged the court for the enforcement of their fundamental rights to their personal liberty, right to private and family life, right to the dignity of their human person, and right to freedom of movement against the respondents.
The applicants plead with the court to compel the respondents to forthwith unconditionally release the applicants from detention.
The applicants requested that the Court grant a perpetual injunction to prevent the respondents, their employees, agents, and associates from committing further violations of their fundamental human rights.
The applicants are seeking damages of N100,000,000.00 (one hundred million naira) each from the respondents for the violation of their fundamental rights, including the right to personal liberty, privacy, dignity, and freedom of movement.
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