Court Hears Bacare’s Billion Dollar Claim Against DSS, AGF Over Unlawful Detention 15 Months Later
On Wednesday 24 February, the Abuja Federal High Court will hear a separate lawsuit filed by human rights defender and #RevolutionNow defender Omoele Souore and his co-defendants Olavale Bakare against the Department of Public Services and the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor. Federation General Abubakar Malami for alleged illegal detention.
In separate fundamental rights lawsuits brought to court, the duo argued that they were entitled to compensation for general and aggravating damages in the amount of NZ $ 500 million each as a result of violations of their rights to personal liberty and dignity. , fair trial, family life, freedom of association and freedom of movement.
Omoele Souore and Olavale Bakare in court, February 2020
Cases marked FHC / ABJ / CS / 1407/2019 and FHC / ABJ / CS / 1428/2019 were filed on November 15 and 20, 2019, respectively.
Judge Inyang Ekwo updated this issue five times in 2020, which delayed the hearing.
The activists appealed to the court with a request to declare their illegal detention by the Department of Public Services “illegal as it violates their fundamental right to freedom.”
Sowore and Bakare also asked the court to order DSS to pay them $ 500 million each in compensation for detention and violation of fundamental rights.
They also called for a permanent injunction prohibiting defendants from further violating their fundamental rights in any way and in any way without legal basis.
The parties in court have streamlined the pending trials at the latest updated date.
On November 6, 2019, Judge Ijeoma Ojukwu ordered the duo’s release from DSS custody, but they were arrested again after meeting the terms of bail.
Soure was arrested on August 3, 2019 for calling on Nigerians to take to the streets during peaceful demonstrations demanding a better country from the administration of President Muhammadu Bukhari, and Bakare was arrested on August 5 for participating in a protest.
They have since been held in custody until December 24, 2019, when they were finally released on bail.
Source: – Sahara Reporter.
