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See Reasons Delta CP and Officers Ordered to Pay N30 Million

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 5th, 2025.

See Reasons Delta CP and Officers Ordered to Pay N30 Million

A High Court in Asaba, Delta State, has awarded N30 million in damages to a film decorator, Mr. Tobechukwu Cyril Ananweude, following a ruling that found the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, a judicial officer Mrs. Mordi Juliana, and four others guilty of infringing on his fundamental rights.

The court also directed the respondents to issue a formal apology to Ananweude and prohibited them from further unlawful arrest, detention, or violation of his rights related to the matter.

This ruling followed an application filed by Ananweude through his legal representatives, A.F. Brideba & Co., seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

The suit (No: DTHC/ASB/FR/48/2024) named Mr. Udaya Chidebere, Mrs. Mordi Juliana, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CSP Rex Enwelikwu, SP Ruth Essang, and Inspector Ifeyinwa Uwakina as respondents.

Ananweude alleged that he was unlawfully arrested twice—between April 16-17 and May 4-6, 2024—without any just cause by officers of the “A” Division Police in Asaba.

He explained that on January 21, 2024, he was contracted by the first respondent, Udaya Chidebere, to handle interior and exterior decoration of a property in Asaba, valued at N10.3 million. Although an initial deposit of N8 million was paid, the project experienced delays due to the client’s lack of cooperation and delayed payments.

Ananweude further stated that the police, acting under the direction of some respondents, arrested and detained him unlawfully, coercing him into signing an agreement under duress before his release.

Despite not receiving full payment and suffering financial and reputational damage, he continued to invest his own funds to complete the project.

He also accused Mrs. Mordi Juliana, a judicial officer, of abusing her position to influence police actions against him, violating his rights to liberty and fair hearing.

In their defense, the first and second respondents claimed that there was a contractual agreement for the furnishing of a production house with payments made upfront and the balance due on completion. They argued that the applicant failed to fulfill his obligations on time.

The police personnel involved denied any unlawful arrest, stating their actions were based on a valid criminal complaint.

Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro, in delivering the judgment, declared the arrest over a contractual dispute unconstitutional and ordered that the N30 million damages be paid jointly by all respondents.

Following the verdict, Ananweude’s lawyer, A.F. Brideba, described the judgment as fair and well-grounded in evidence, emphasizing that it would discourage future abuses of fundamental human rights.