A Federal High Court in Maiduguri has awarded N2 million in compensatory damages to a primary school teacher, Mr Sherrif Umar, after declaring his arrest and prolonged detention by the military unlawful, unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental rights.
Umar was arrested, handcuffed and publicly paraded after being accused of aiding Boko Haram in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). His name was also widely circulated in the media before any credible investigation had been concluded.
According to the account, he was detained in underground custody for more than five months, where he was deprived of his liberty and denied access to sunlight over allegations he did not commit.
The allegations, it said, not only damaged his reputation but also subjected his wife and children to public ridicule and stigma, with many branding them as the family of a Boko Haram member.
Before his arrest, Umar was a respected primary school teacher known for his integrity and exemplary character and had never been implicated in any criminal offence.
In its judgment, the Federal High Court held that his arrest and prolonged detention violated his fundamental rights and awarded him N2 million as compensation for the unlawful arrest, wrongful detention and infringement of his constitutional rights.
According to Barrister Hamza DantiniThe judgment underscores the principle that the fight against insecurity must be conducted within the confines of the law and that every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
