OZORO — In a stinging rebuke of law enforcement impunity, a Delta State High Court sitting in Ozoro has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay a staggering ₦310 million in damages for the unlawful arrest and detention of a legal practitioner, Mr Otedjere Jude.
The landmark judgement, delivered by Justice E. O. Odebala on January 28, 2026, marks one of the highest compensations ever awarded for a fundamental rights violation involving a legal professional in Nigeria.
The ‘Lawless’ Detention
The court found that the police acted with “brigandage and lawlessness” when they rounded up Mr Jude and detained him at the Kwale Police Station between September 29 and 30, 2025.
Justice Odebala ruled that the arrest was entirely without justification, violating Sections 34 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee the right to personal liberty and human dignity.
The court’s orders included:
- ₦300 Million: General and exemplary damages for the unlawful arrest and trauma.
- ₦10 Million: Litigation costs awarded to the applicant.
- Perpetual Injunction:Â A permanent ban restraining the police from further harassing, inviting, or threatening to arrest the lawyer over the same incident.
- Dismissal of Charges:Â The court struck out all criminal charges previously filed by the police against Mr Jude following the encounter.
A Victory for the Bar
The case was vigorously pursued by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oleh Branch, which had condemned the police’s actions as a “naked and arrogant abuse of power.”
In a statement following the ruling, the NBA branch hailed the judgement as a victory for the rule of law. “This is a clear message that the police are not above the law. You cannot intimidate a lawyer for performing his professional duties or simply because you wear a uniform,” a spokesperson for the branch noted.
Broader Context of Judicial Accountability
The ruling comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the abuse of power by law enforcement and state officials. It mirrors the growing national demand for accountability, seen in the ongoing terrorism financing trial of former AGF Abubakar Malami and the public outcry over the ₦7.6 trillion NNPCL debt write-off.
Furthermore, activists like Rinu Oduala have consistently highlighted how the “desperation” of the common man, often ignored by authorities, makes them vulnerable to both domestic abuse and foreign exploitation, such as the forced military recruitment in Ukraine.
Police Reaction
As of Friday morning, February 6, 2026, the Inspector-General of Police and the Delta State Police Command have not issued a formal statement on whether they intend to appeal the judgement. Historically, the police have often faced challenges in paying such massive court-ordered damages due to budgetary constraints and administrative delays.
