Evans demands N300m from IGP, others over continued detention

SHORTLY after suspected billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike aka Evans, filed a suit against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Evans again on Thursday re-sued the IGP and three others, this time demanding N300 million in damages.

Evans in the new suit is claiming N300 million as general and exemplary damages against the police for alleged illegal detention and unconstitutional media trial.

Joined as respondents in the suit are the Nigeria Police Force, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Police Command.

He is also seeking an order directing the respondents to release him unconditionally where no charge is preferred against him.

In his new suit also marked FHC/L/CS/1012/ 2017 and with the same persons as respondents, the applicant is seeking a declaration that his continued detention since June 10 without arraignment, violates his fundamental rights as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.

He is also seeking a declaration that his parade on June 11 before journalists in Lagos, at the Lagos Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, without any court order, is unconstitutional and illegal.

He is consequently, seeking an order, compelling the respondents to immediately arraign him before a law court, or release him from custody forthwith.

Evans also wants the court to issue an order compelling the respondents to jointly and severally, pay him the sum of N300 million as exemplary damages for illegal detention and alleged harm caused by the alleged media trial.

The suspect is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents from further arresting, detaining, harassing, investigating or inviting him in relation to the facts of his case.

In an affidavit deposed to by his father, Mr Stephen Onwuamadike, it was averred that the applicant has been subjected to media trial without any court order by the respondents.

Onwuamadike further averred that the media trial and news orchestrated by the respondents have continued to generate reactions in both print and electronic media without his son being afforded fair hearing before a court of law.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the new suit.