Court Grants Nigerian Woman Who Sued Police Inspector-General, Others For Illegal Arrest N10Million Bail, Released After Months In Detention

December 21, 2023

NEWS

SaharaReporters had reported how police operatives stormed Robert’s residence, and harassed her relatives and close friends after they had been stationed at strategic spots around the house.

AFederal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to a Nigerian woman, Peace Ekom Robert, who was arrested and detained by police operatives for alleged fraudulent activities

 

SaharaReporters had reported how police operatives stormed Robert’s residence, and harassed her relatives and close friends after they had been stationed at strategic spots around the house.

 

SaharaReporters also reported on August 19, 2023, that Robert sued the acting Inspector-General of the police, Kayode Egbetokun, the police service commission, three police officers, and one Ifenyinwa Anthonia Olua (Ugo) for alleged infringement of her fundamental human rights.

The suit was filed at the Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo The court had also ruled that she should be paid N200 million in damages for her unlawful arrest and illegal detention by the Nigerian police, an order the police have yet to comply with.SaharaReporters had also reported that the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a press statement confirmed that police operatives arrested and detained Robert who was said to have been wanted for alleged fraudulent activities. Speaking to SaharaReporters on Tuesday, her lawyer, Uwemedimo Nwoko (SAN) said she was granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja last week after she pleaded not guilty to the four counts brought against her by the police.

 He said she satisfied her bail conditions by Friday and was subsequently released.Nwoku added that her client was charged together with one Ubong Udoh who was accused of publishing libelous content against a policeman on social media.  

 The lawyer said, “She was charged on four counts before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. She was charged alongside Ubong Udoh who was accused of publishing libelous things on social media against an unnamed police officer.

 “Even in the charge they filed in court, they did not state the name of the officer. They charged Peace on Count 3 under terrorism, saying she published an article that threatened and terrorised a police officer, the same they also gave to Ubong in Count 4. This one comes under the Cybercrime Act. 

“Both of them were arraigned and they pleaded not guilty to the charges. Then we applied for bail and the court granted them bail.

 “The court granted both of them N10 million bail each and two sureties in like sum. The matter was thereafter adjourned to February 20, 2024, for the commencement of the hearing. By Friday, they had met the bail conditions and were released. They were brought out of prison and they had to go the court to formalise documentation with the sureties.”