The Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded 10 Million naira damages against the Head of Living Christ Mission Church, with headquarters in Onitsha Anambra State, Rev. Prof. Onukogu Victor popularly know as Daddy Hezekiah, and the Nigerian Police for the unlawful and illegal arrest and detention of Polaris Bank Manager, Dr. Hezekiah Chinenye Duru.
Recall that Most Rev. Prof. Onukogu Victor Hezekiah had written a malicious petition against Dr. Chinenye Duru to the Nigerian police that led to his illegal arrest and detention, resulting in the institution of suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/3/2024 by Dr. Duru for the enforcement of his Fundamental Rights and breaches thereof against the clergyman and the Nigerian police.
The suit was robustly contested and on the 10th of June 2024, Hon. Justice Okorowo led-Federal High Court Abuja in a well-considered judgment dismissed the objections of Onukogu’s lawyers and held as follows;
1. A declaration that the fundamental rights of Dr. Chinenye Duru as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria were breached by his illegal arrest and detention.
2. That it was a further breach of his rights not to grant him bail upon invitation as the allegations against him were all bailable.
3. An injunction restraining the Nigerian police and its officers from inviting, harassing, intimidating, arresting, and detaining Dr. Hezekiah Chinenye Duru.
4. An award of 10 Million Naira Damages jointly and severally against the Most Rev. Onukogu Victor Hezekiah and 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) through whom Onukogu carried out his illegal and malicious acts against Dr. Hezekiah Chinenye Duru.
Reacting to the court judgment, a concerned citizen who pledged anonymous, said “this is a victory for justice as unlawful and illegal acts against innocent citizens of this country by persons who feel they are god and have the means can no longer go unpunished.”