In a landmark judgement delivered on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, a High Court of Justice in Ogun State, Abeokuta Judicial Division, ruled in favor of Sunday Mafe, awarding him N25 million in damages for his unlawful arrest and detention by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police and five others.

Justice E.O. Osinuga, in a ruling dated Monday, February 5, 2024, declared that the repeated detention of Mafe by the Nigeria Police Force violated his fundamental human rights. The court found that Mafe was unlawfully detained on multiple occasions in December 2016 based on a petition filed by Yomi Nuberu, a lawyer acting on behalf of Chief Sakirudeen Olufowobi, regarding a civil and land dispute that fell outside the police’s jurisdiction.

Furthermore, Justice Osinuga emphasized that law enforcement agencies have no authority to intervene in civil matters such as disputes over land or contracts. The court underscored the importance of upholding individuals’ constitutional rights, particularly Sections 34 and 45 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The lawsuit, with suit number HCJ/150/2017, was filed by Mafe against the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, and other police officials involved in his unlawful detention. The court found them liable for breaching Section 125A of the Criminal Code and violating Mafe’s fundamental human rights.

As a result, the court ordered the respondents to pay Mafe N25 million as general and compensatory damages. Additionally, the respondents were mandated to issue a public apology to Mafe in two national newspapers within four months of the judgement, with a three-month window for potential appeals.

Represented by legal counsel Kayode Oshiyemi and R. A. Adebanjo, Mafe’s case serves as a significant precedent in safeguarding citizens’ rights against unlawful detention and police harassment.