- Federal High Court in Lagos adjourns motion for freedom and N100 million compensation to December 1, filed by Mr. Obiora Samuel
- Samuel alleges unlawful detention by NDLEA since October 5, seeking declaration, release, and compensation; court hearing postponed
A motion seeking freedom and N100 million compensation was adjourned by the Federal High Court in Lagos to December 1. Mr. Obiora Samuel, currently in the custody of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), brought the motion, asserting that he has been held without trial since October 5.
In the suit marked FHC/14/15/2220/23, Samuel, the plaintiff, is seeking to enforce his fundamental rights. The NDLEA is the sole defendant in this case.
During the proceedings on Wednesday, Samuel’s counsel, Benson Ndakara, urged the court to hear the motion, emphasizing that the prosecution had been served more than a month ago. Ndakara argued that the period for the prosecution to respond with a counter-affidavit had lapsed.
However, prosecution counsel Juliana Imaobong Uroabuchi requested additional time to respond, citing her elderly mother’s illness as the cause for the delay. In response, Justice Nicholas Oweibo adjourned the hearing for a definite date.
In the documents presented to the court, Samuel, residing in FESTAC Town, Lagos, sought four reliefs. These include a declaration that his arrest and detention since October 5, 2023, without charge were unlawful, unconstitutional, null, and void. He also requested an order for his release from the custody of the NDLEA and a compensation order of N100 million for unlawful arrest and detention. The court is set to address these matters during the upcoming hearing.