Court Releases Man Arrested By Abba-Kyari-led Unit, Awards N5m Against IGP

Justice M Adebayo of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday ordered the unconditional release of Jude Chuks Obasi who was arrested by the Intelligence Response Team led by suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.

The development was disclosed in a statement released by the lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor.

Members of the IGP response team had arrested Obasi, a resident of Nnewi, Anambra State, on 31 March 2021.

IRT since the arrest of Obasi had denied him access to his lawyers, relatives and family members.

Ejiofor in the statement wrote, “A blessed Abuja Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gudu District Abuja, just delivered judgement in a fundamental Rights Suit we filed on behalf of Mazi Jude Chuks Obasi.

“In His Lordship’s well-considered judgement just delivered now, the court ordered the Inspector General of Police on one side, and its Intelligence Response Team, hitherto led by the suspended DCP Abba Kyari, to immediately and unconditionally release Mr Obasi, who has been kept in their solitary confinement since his abduction at the wee hours of the night from his residence at Nnewi, on the 31st day of March 2021, without access to us- his lawyers, relatives and family members

“The court further ordered the IGP and its Intelligence Response Team to immediately tender an unreserved apology in two National Dailies to Mr Jude Chuks Obasi. The court consequently awarded the sum of ₦5,000,000.00 ( Five Million Naira Only) as reparation for the gross violation of the fundamental rights of Mr Obasi.

“Be assured that we shall activate all the machinery of the law to ensure that this judgement is obeyed to the letter and most promptly. There is no hiding place for a golden fish. This is an Order of the Court and it must be obeyed, and terms stipulated thereat must also be complied with in full.

“We return all glory and adoration to the Almighty ChukwuOkike Abiama for this feat, as we are still sojourning in this special month of uncommon victory.”