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Billionnaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a Evans has won the first round of court battle against the police. The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Wednesday ruled that the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Evans can proceed.
Justice Abdulaziz Anka who presided over the case dismissed the objections of Emmanuel Eze, the counsel for the third and fourth respondents, and agreed with counsel to Evans, Olukoya Ogungbeje, that service on the first and second respondents had been properly effected.
The Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force are the first and second respondents respectively while the third and fourth respondents are the Lagos State Police Commissioner and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, respectively.
Justice Anka also ruled that leave was not required for the matter to be heard during vacation as Order 4 Rule 5 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules of 2009, enjoins the court to pursue speed and justice on issues of fundamental human rights.
August 29 was therefore fixed to deliver judgment in the suit.
Evans, through his lawyer had filed a N300m lawsuit against the police, challenging his continued detention since June 10 without arraignment.
The billionaire kidnapper is asking the court to award him N300m as exemplary damages for his alleged illegal detention and the alleged harm caused by his media trial.