Katsina PDP chieftain, Tata demands N500m compensation from IGP

APDP chieftain in Katsina State, Umar Tsauri Abdullahi, popularly called Tata, has dragged the Inspector General of Police before a Federal High Court in Katsina, demanding N500 million compensation for alleged breach of his liberty, freedom of expression, movement and association.

Joined in the suit are the Katsina State Commissioner of Police, as well as one DSP Iliyasu Usman Bugaje and the Nigeria Police Force as 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents, respectively.

Tata approached the court on the grounds that on May 19, this year, as head of the PDP campaign team for the Mashi/ Dutsi House of Representatives by-election, he was unlawfully arrested at Dutsi by officers and men of the 4th respondents by the 3rd, on the orders of the 1st and 2nd respondents.

He said he was detained at the police headquarters without informing him in writing, “the facts and grounds for the arrest and detention.”

He told the court that the actions were contrary to sections 35, 39, 40, 41, and 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

Tata therefore sought for the enforcement of his fundamental rights by the respondents.

He was also demanding for a public apology to be published in three national newspapers for three days consecutively.

The presiding judge, Justice B.G Ashigar, fixed October 24 for mention.