Following the Justice John Tsoho’s ruling on the fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by the President of Chocolate City Entertainment, Audu Maikori the Malam Nasir El-rufai led Kaduna state government has vowed to appeal up to Supreme Court, the ruling which awarded a whooping sum of forty million naira damages to the petitioner.
Justice Tsoho, in its ruling directed the government of Kaduna state, Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police, and its Attorney General to pay N40 million to the applicant for his unlawful arrest and detention.
Governor El-rufai while reacting to the judgment said, “our lawyer will study the judgment and take the appropriate steps. We will appeal up to Supreme Court if necessary. The judgment will not in any way stop the ongoing criminal trial the state had earlier filed against the Mr. Maikori.
Justice Tsoho during the Friday ruling said, “I hold the respectful view that by virtue of his act, the applicant made himself liable to be deprived of his personal liberty.”
According to the Judge, an arrest made by the police upon reasonable suspicion of commission of a crime is lawful. The judgment went in favor of the applicant in view of the fact that the police, in carrying out its duty, violated Mr. Maikori’s fundamental rights.
“This judgment is without prejudice to offenses that the applicant is standing trial for. The judgment will serve as a lesson to law enforcement agencies, they should discharge their duties in accordance with constitutional requirements, and not discharge their duties with impunity,” Justice Tsoho said.
