An Ebonyi State High Court sitting in Abakaliki yesterday ordered the police to pay the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), N2 million for illegally raiding its office.
A MASSOB member last year sued the commissioner of Police, DPO of the Central Police Station and the District Crime Officer (DCO) for raiding and taking away items at MASSOB’s regional office in Abakaliki.
The case was filed by its Ebonyi Central Regional Director, Mr. John Nwifuru, who accused the police of infringing on its right to a peaceful assembly and association.
Justice F.C. Inya-Agha held that threats of arrest, harassment and intimidation of MASSOB members and confiscation of its property were unlawful and a violation of members’ rights as guaranteed by sections 34, 35 (1), 40 and 44 of the constitution.
The judge ordered the police to release the items taken away from MASSOB’s office on 9, Hatchery Road on October 25.
They include 2,700 identity cards worth N1,000 each, 10 plastic chairs, five mobile phones, a flagpole, a signboard, N170,000, five MASSOB uniforms, six pairs of boots and belts.
He directed the DPO to publish an apology in two national newspapers.
The court also ordered the command to pay N2 million damages for the threats of arrest, harassment, intimidation and illegal seizure suffered by the applicant.
Counsel to MASSOB Jerry Ezenyi said justice had prevailed, praising the court for delivering judgment in favour of MASSOB.
source: nigerianeye
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