A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa has ordered the Department of State Security (DSS) to pay N300 million in damages over the illegal arrest and detention of a youth activist, Mr Collins Opumie, for over two years.
Acccording to reports, Opumie had in 2022 approached the court to seek redress and demanded N 9 billion as damages over his detention following a petition by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).
Opumie, had in a statement of claims, alleged that the DSS in Yenagoa abducted him at the instance of NAOC in a gestapo style.
“I was physically and mentally torture, tie and thrown into the boot of a vehicle and taken to Abuja like a common criminal.
“My family was not aware of my whereabout. I was also denied access to medical care,” he said.
He also prayed the court to declare that his arrest, torture and subsequent detention without proper food and medical attention and access to family members for two years for false Imprisonment and malicious prosecution.
Presiding Judge, Justice Ebiyon Charlie, on Tuesday in his ruling on suit number YHC/324/2022 declared that the claimant was forcefully imprisoned and should be awarded N300 million for compensation.
Reacting, Opuene said he is satisfied with the judgement.
“I am happy even when all our expectations were not met, I thank all those who stood by me, the traditional rollers and my lawyer for standing by the truth”.