MASSOB chief sues Army, police for N25m

November 15, 2012

A leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, Chief Arinze Igbani, has sued the Nigeria Army and the Police for violating his fundamental human rights.

In the suit before Justice V.N Umeh of the Otuocha High Court, Igbani is claiming N25m damages from the Army and the police, who he said, forced him out of a hospital where he was receiving treatment for his fractured bones.

Igbani, who is the MASSOB Administrator for Onitsha Region 4, specifically dragged the Commander of the 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Col. Taritimiye Gagariga; the Adjutant of the Regiment, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu and the Chief of Army Staff before the court for allegedly breaching his fundamental rights as guaranteed in the Constitution.

Joined as co-respondents are the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State and the Inspector-General of Police.

In his statement of claims, Igbani, through his counsel, Mr. Charles Ugo, is seeking a declaration that the respondents violated and are still violating his fundamental rights.

He is also praying the court to restrain the respondents, their servants, agents, privies or subordinates from further arresting, detaining intimidating, harassing and threatening his life.

The applicant therefore sought N10m as damages against the first, second, third and fourth respondents jointly and severally for an unwarranted infringement of his fundamental rights, as well as another N15m as damages for his medical treatment.

He also sought an order directing the respondents to jointly and or severally tender an unreserved apology in writing to him for an unwarranted infringement of his fundamental rights, and for the Army to sponsor his medical treatment abroad, as recommended by a medical expert who is currently treating his fractured leg.