Evans Sues IG, Lagos CP, for Breach of Fundamental Rights

Suspected kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (Evans), has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit to compel the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to either charge him to court immediately or unconditionally release him from custody.

In a motion ex-parte filed before the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday by his lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, the suspect claimed that he has been detained by the police since June 10, 2017 and subjected to media trial and parade without any court order.

He listed the IG, Owoseni, the NPF and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos Command, as respondents in the suit.

The suspected kidnapper said there has been grave constitutional infraction perpetrated by the respondents against him as he ought to have been charged or arraign before a court in accordance with Section 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

The applicant also said he has the rights under Section 46 of the 1999 Constitution to approach the court for redress for the breach of his fundamental rights.

However, in a 27-paragraph affidavit attached to the application and personally deposed to by Evans’ father, Stephen Onwuamadike, the father claims that he and other family members have been denied access to the applicant who is still in the custody of the respondents.

He also claimed that his solicitor has been denied access to the applicant.

He insisted that the parade of the applicant before journalists has continued to generate reactions without the applicant being afforded fair hearing and trial before a court of law.

The fundamental rights enforcement suit is yet to be assigned to a judge and no date has been fixed for its hearing.