A panel of Court of Appeal judges in
Lagos today set aside the N25 million compensatory damages earlier awarded
Lagos comedian, Babatunde Omidina " Baba Suwe " over a prolonged
detention by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) last year.
In
the ruling, the Court of Appeal re-affirmed the right of the NDLEA to
investigate, arrest, detain and prosecute drug suspects as long as the agency
acts within the law.
The
court said the NDLEA had not violated Mr. Omidina's rights because it sought and
got court orders from the federal high court to keep him in custody after the
arrested him on the suspicion that he had ingested hard drugs.
The
Court of Appeal came down heavily on the Lagos High court judge that awarded
the damages against the NDLEA, describing the decision as oppressive and
burdensome to an agency of government carrying out its statutory duties.
Baba
Suwe's attorneys led by civil rights activist, Bamidele Aturu, has vowed
to take the matter before the Supreme Court.
Credit: Sahara Reporters
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