The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri has awarded the cost of N30 million against Julius Berger Nig. Plc and the Nigeria Police while upholding the judgment delivered by the Imo State High Court against the duo for what the court declared as illegally declaring wanted, a Lagos based human right crusader, Mr Emeka Ozoani.

Ozoani had filed a suit of gross violation of his fundamental rights delineated HOW/654/2012 before the Imo state High Court following a newspaper publication where the police declared him as a category ‘A’ wanted person in the Thisday Newspaper of September 4, 2012, asking the court for enforcement of his fundamental right and an order setting aside the declaration that he is a ‘category “A” wanted person as well as an order of perpetual injunction restraining and directing the respondents to jointly and severally tender apology to the applicant and also pay damages of N50 billion for the unlawful violation of his fundamental rights.

The suit was filed against the Inspector General of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 9 Umuahia, ASP P.S. Njoku, Prosecuting officer in charge of OW/373c/2011 Zone 9, Umuahia, Peter Ogunyanwo, DCP Zone 9 Umuahia and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and the Imo State High Court had on February 2013 in a judgment held that the police had grossly violated the fundamental rights of Mr Emeka Ozoani for declaring him ‘category “A” wanted person’.

Prior to the suit, the police had arrested, manhandled and assaulted the lawyer in the court premises over an allegation of forgery in the case HOW/581/2007 Mrs Philoma Ugo V. Julius Berger (Nigeria) Plc where he appeared as counsel. The court had ruled that police in the administration of justice are to prevent crime, investigate an allegation of crime and enforce laws and regulation but went beyond the scope of their duties by falsely and wrongly arresting and battering a person, then becoming culpable of criminal acts.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, Julius Berger Nig. Plc and the Nigeria Police proceeded to the Court of Appeal challenging the judgment that absolved the lawyer but in its judgment, the Appeal Court panel of judges, Raphael Chikwe Agbo, Ayobode and O.Lokulo-Sodipe, led by Rita Nosakhare Pemu upheld the high court judgment.

Justice Rita Pemu while delivering the lead judgment said, “It is no gainsaying that the economic downturn is endemic and keeps going down. The 5th respondents/cross-appellant is a legal practitioner. A respected one at that! In the course of carrying out his legitimate duties, he is pounced on with levity. His body and soul are bruised and his emotions toyed with. This is despicable; it against public policy for those who are supposed to enforce the rule of law, to collude with big multinational companies to oppress the people.

“The time has come in this country to cry aloud against these nefarious activities. The average man on the street should be able to walk the streets without fear of being molested by powers that be. The issue of the award of damages is discretionary and I am tempted not to interfere with the number of damages awarded the 5th respondent /cross-appellant.

“But with respect, N25 million is a far away from the amount claimed by the respondent/ cross-appellant. I would award the sum of N30 million because of the dire economic situation right now. It was bad enough in the year 2013 when judgment was delivered in this matter. It is even worse today economically.

“In the circumstances, I hereby award the sum of N30 million to the respondent instead of N25million awarded by the court below. The cross-appeal succeeds in part and I so order N100, 000.00 cost in his favour.”

The court of appeal held that the appeal filed by Julius Berger lacks merit and dismissed it in its entirety. “Where there is suspicion, it must be reasonable. It is the duty of Police to investigate crimes but not to be used as a tool of oppression by unscrupulous litigants in pursuit of their mischief.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/07/illegal-declaration-appeal-court-awards-n30m-julius-berger-police/

awarding the money of anoda case on is own,the paying is anoda case too... no b naija we dey,of u like award #1000 against dem,they won't still pay it, because they know the country is a shithole

Hun

4

I would award the sum of N30 million because of the dire economic situation right now. It was bad enough in the year 2013 when judgment was delivered in this matter. It is even worse today economically.

So this case has been going on since 2013.
Its good to know that we have a President that respect the rule of law.
Good judgement by the court of law.

Ok

Berger go soon turn beggars towards the complaint.

It's well

See Money, Kudi, Owo!!!

#50milla

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justice delay is justice denied. since 2012. Gosh.. 7 years.. and he fit still enter supreme sef.

Impunity everywhere because buhari started it. He should be fired

jamaicabakare:


How much for Lagos buyers

6k with delivery fee

post=74521724:


So this case has been going on since 2013.
Its good to know that we have a President that respect the rule of law.
Good judgement by the court of law.

fake asun seller wey ur shop.

Exwizard:

6k with delivery fee

E no gree 5k?

Will they pay the money!

nigeria court do well

He go vomit the money

Now who will ensure they pay. I think Human right service commission should be able to enforce the verdict or a Justice Corp be set up to always ensure that such verdicts are obeyed and acted upon.

jamaicabakare:


E no gree 5k?

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Exwizard:

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jamaicabakare:


No longer there.

E be like sey dem done remove am.

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Exwizard:

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[s]

post=74521724:


So this case has been going on since 2013.
Its good to know that we have a President that respect the rule of law.
Good judgement by the court of law.

[/s]What does your she male president got to do with the judgment. Is buhari the judiciary. The way some human beings dey reason self.

Obainoneandonly:
awarding the money of anoda case on is own,the paying is anoda case too... no b naija we dey,of u like award #1000 against dem,they won't still pay it, because they know the country is a shithole

Na Julius Berger go take the blow. All it takes is a garnishee order, if they refuse