By Jonathan Okpanachi
An Abuja Federal High Court has ordered famous Anambra cleric and founder of Living Christ Mission, Rev Onokogu Hezekiah (Daddy Hezekiah), to pay N10m damages to Polaris Bank manager, Hezekiah Duru, for violating his fundamental human rights.
The cleric had filed a petition against Duru, accusing him of financial misappropriation and breach of trust, which led to Duru’s arrest and detention by the police.
Nonetheless, Justice D. Okorowo ruled against Daddy Hezekiah and the Nigeria Police Force. The judge ruled that the arrest and detention of Duru was a violation of his fundamental human rights, especially since the allegation was already under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In the suit: FHC/ABJ/CS/3/2024, Justice D. Okorowo faulted the warrant order obtained from the Nasarawa State Magistrate’s Court.
Justice Okorowo ruled: “A declaration is made that the arrest, detention and purported investigation of the applicant from the 11th day of December 2023 till 29th day of December 2023 by the respondents on the petition of the 1st respondent on an allegation of financial misappropriation/embezzlement/cheating/breach of trust already being investigated is an infringement of the applicant’s right to personal liberty, fair hearing, right to dignity of his person as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 and African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“A declaration is made that the order/warrant for the detention of the applicant obtained by the respondents from the Nasarawa State Magistrate’s Court is unlawful, an abuse of powers, an abuse of judicial process and an infringement of the applicant’s right to fair hearing, and personal liberty.
“An order is made directing the release of the applicant, Amb Dr Hezekiah Chinenye Duru, forthwith from police custody.
“An order of injunction is made restraining the Nigerian police and its officers from arresting, detaining or further violating or doing anything capable of undermining, threatening or interfering with the fundamental rights of the Applicant, His Excellency Amb. Dr. Hezekiah Chinenye Duru.
“An award of N10m damages jointly and severally against Rev Onukogu and the Nigeria police, the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police and ACP Asuqou (the officer in charge of the Special Investigation Unit of the IGP office).”
