By Ajibola Olaide, JKNMedia Reporter
A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has ordered Rev. Onokogu Hezekiah, founder of Living Christ Mission, to pay N10 million in damages to Polaris Bank manager, Hezekiah Duru, for violating his fundamental human rights.
Rev. Hezekiah, also known as “Daddy Hezekiah”, had filed a petition against Duru, accusing him of financial misappropriation and breach of trust, leading to Duru’s arrest and detention by the police.
Justice D. Okorowo ruled against Daddy Hezekiah and the Nigeria Police Force, stating that Duru’s arrest and detention violated his fundamental human rights, especially since the allegation was already under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The suit, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/3/2024, saw Justice Okorowo also faulting the warrant order obtained from the Nasarawa State Magistrate Court.
In the judgment, Justice Okorowo declared the arrest, detention, and purported investigation of Duru from December 11, 2023, to December 29, 2023, as infringements on Duru’s right to personal liberty, fair hearing, and dignity as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Justice Okorowo further declared the warrant for Duru’s detention obtained from the Nasarawa State Magistrate Courts as unlawful, an abuse of power, and a violation of Duru’s right to fair hearing and personal liberty.
The court ordered the immediate release of Duru from police custody and issued an injunction restraining the Nigerian police and its officers from further violating Duru’s fundamental rights.
Additionally, the court awarded N10 million in damages against Rev. Onokogu Hezekiah, the Nigerian police, the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police, and ACP Asuqou, the officer in charge of the Special Investigation Unit of the IGP office.
