JUST IN: Abba Kyari demands N500 million from NDLEA over ‘Unjust Detention’

 

Embattled Police Chief, Abba Kyari has demanded N500 million as compensation from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA over his ‘Unjust arrest and Detention’.

It was earlier reported that Kyari was arrested last week by the police after he was declared wanted by the agency. The Deputy Commissioner of Police was caught bribing an NDLEA agent with $61,000 to facilitate the release of 17 KG of seized Cocaine. He has been in detention ever since.

However, on Monday, in. surprising twist, Kyari sued the Federal Government. In an originating motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/182/22, filed before Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, he also sought an order directing the NDLEA to tender a written apology to him in two national dailies.

The Motion filed on the 16th of February by his lawyer, C.O Ikena sought an order “restraining the respondent (NDLEA), its agents, servants, privies, police or anyone acting on their behalf from further harassing, detaining, intimidating, arresting the applicant unlawfully.”

“An order of this court directing the respondent to pay the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) to the applicant, for unlawful violation of the applicant’s constitutional right provided for in Sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended).”

The motion also sought a declaration that his arrest and continued detention by the NDLEA “without bringing him before a court of competent jurisdiction from Feb. 12 till date is illegal, unlawful and a gross violation of his fundamental rights”.

He requested that the court orders his release on the grounds that his health was deteriorating. However, the Presiding Judge refused to grant the order as there were allegations in the suit that needed a response from the government.