Akwa Ibom Court Orders Lawyer, Others To Pay N2.2m For Rights Abuse

Thursday May 22, 2025|

The Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has ordered (Mrs) SifonAkpaetor (lawyer) and four others to pay the sum of N2.2m as damages for violating the fundamental rights of one Mr. Ekemini Akpanekpo.

Delivering judgment in suit No, HU/FHR.200/2023, the presiding judge, Justice Edem Akpan ruled that the arrest and detention of Mr. Ekemini Akpanekpo from June 4 to June 16, 2023, was illegal, unconstitutional, and arbitrary.

The court also held that the undertaking signed by the applicants under duress, not to approach his uncle, Iniobong Ubong Ntuk’s property which is in dispute, was null and void.

It further held that the arrest and detention of Mr. Akpanekpo was done without a formal charge before any court of law, violating his right to personal liberty and freedom of movement.

The court restrained (Mrs) Sifon Akpaetor, Insp. Ndifreke Edem, Supol. Emmanuel, Supol. Julian Igbudu, and the commissioner of police, Akwa Ibom State, from further inviting, threatening to arrest, or detaining Mr. Akpan ekpo over the disputed property.

The court ordered Sifon Akpaetor, Inspr. Ndifreke Edem, and the Commissioner of Police to jointly “pay N2.2m in damages to Mr. Ekemini Akpanekpo

The cost of the action was assessed at N200,000 against the defendants, except Lady Akon Ubong Ntuk, who was absolve of any blame.

A human rights lawyer and Chairman, Civil Liberty Organisation, Akwa Ibom State, Barr Godknows Njoku Esq, who handled the case on behalf of Mr Ekemini Tommy, when contacted on phone hailed the judgment, describing it as a “victory for justice and the protection of fundamental human rights of the citizens.”

He expressed satisfaction with the judgment, saying it was a testament to the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law/ protection of the citizens against unlawful arrest and detention, by the police.

Speaking while reacting to the judgment, the applicant, EkeminiAkpanekpo, narrated his ordeal while in detention, saying it was “the most excruciating experience in his life, which he not wish to happen to any of his love ones.”