A lawsuit has been filed against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police by Eugene Okwudili Okonkwo and his family. The plaintiffs are seeking N50 million in damages due to alleged human rights violations stemming from what they describe as an unlawful arrest and harassment. The suit, filed through the law firm Okwudili Okonkwo & Co., names additional defendants, including two police officers and Stanbic IBTC Plc.
The plaintiffs, including Eugene Okwudili Okonkwo, Glad Nkechi Okonkwo, Chidinma Daniel Okonkwo, Chukwudi Emmanuel Okonkwo, Ihunanya Esther Okonkwo, and Aduragbemi Bamigbade, filed their case under suit number FHC/4CS/1638/24 at the Federal Court in Ikoyi, Lagos State. They claim violations of their fundamental human rights and are seeking damages and a written apology from the defendants.
In the legal filing dated September 11, 2024, the plaintiffs request a declaration from the court stating that the arrest and detention of Chukwudi Emmanuel Okonkwo, the fourth applicant, was unconstitutional and violated his fundamental rights. They also seek a permanent injunction against further harassment or arrests on behalf of Stanbic Bank.
The plaintiffs demand a joint compensation of N50 million for what they describe as illegal and unconstitutional actions against them. Furthermore, they are asking for an order that requires the respondents to issue a formal apology for infringing on their rights and to retract any false claims made against them to financial institutions.
The allegations against Stanbic IBTC stem from an incident involving Chukwudi Emmanuel Okonkwo, who claims he was wrongfully detained by individuals connected to the bank. He asserts that on August 6, 2024, he was intercepted while driving to work and forcibly taken to the bank’s headquarters. During this time, he alleges that he was accused of stealing money from Stanbic IBTC and was held against his will, unable to contact his family or legal representation.
In a sworn affidavit, Chukwudi detailed the events of that day, stating, “They dragged me by my belt area of my trouser and forced me into a vehicle.” He claims he was detained for several hours, where he was coerced into transferring money from his accounts. He described being held in a room without any means of communication and then transferred to police custody later that evening.
Chukwudi further detailed the harsh conditions he faced while in police custody, including being forced to sleep outside and contracting malaria due to the situation. His account illustrates the significant distress caused by the alleged actions of the police and bank representatives.
In addition to seeking monetary compensation, the applicants hope the court will recognize their ordeal as a severe violation of their rights, emphasizing the need for accountability among law enforcement and financial institutions. Chukwudi expressed his ongoing fear and trauma following the incident, stating that he and his family remain anxious about potential further harassment.
The plaintiffs have called on the court to intervene and protect them from further violations of their rights by the police or anyone acting on behalf of Stanbic Bank. They argue that the actions taken against them are not only unlawful but also indicative of a larger issue of abuse of power that must be addressed.
The case highlights significant concerns regarding the treatment of individuals by law enforcement and financial institutions in Nigeria. As the matter unfolds in court, the plaintiffs hope for justice and proper compensation for the alleged violations they endured.
