Court Orders Police to Pay N500M for Rights Abuse

On a recent ruling, the Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Lewis Allagoa, ordered the Inspector General of Police and five other defendants to jointly pay N500 million in damages to Dr. Harrison Agboifon for harassment and violation of his rights. The case arose from a real estate transaction involving Agboifon and Mr. Bright Solomon Omozejel, who acted on behalf of Solviz Resources Limited to purchase a bungalow in Abijo GRA Ibeju Lekki.

The initial price was set at N37 million, later reduced to N36.5 million, with an agreement for full payment within 12 months. However, only N19 million was paid by the buyer, leading to allegations of police harassment against Agboifon.

The court found that the police's actions constituted intimidation and violated Agboifon's fundamental rights as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution. The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the police from further harassment or attempts to arrest Agboifon related to this civil dispute.