Just In: 'Arbitrary violence and biases' Court allots DSS N20 billion in damages for raiding Igboho's home

The raid by the Department of State Service on the home of Yoruba nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, in Ibadan has been deemed unconstitutional by Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court.

In addition, the court ordered DSS to pay N20 billion in exemplary and aggravated damages to Igboho.

DSS actions against Igboho were characterised by Akintola as “arbitrary violence and biases.”

The house of the pro-Yoruba self-determination campaigner was reportedly raided by DSS operatives about 1:30 a.m. on July 1, 2021, resulting in the arrest of 12 of his assistants, while Igboho escaped capture.

Following the raid, Igboho filed a lawsuit against the federal government, seeking damages.

Igboho asked the court to order the respondents to pay him a total of ₦500m in special damages for the damage to his house and car, as well as another ₦500bn in exemplary and aggravated damages for infringing on his fundamental rights with the malicious invasion of his home, as well as an order directing the Federal Government and the other respondents to tender a public apology in two national dailies.

Igboho had filed a notice of application, through his lawyer, Yomi Alliyu, to enforce his fundamental human rights, pursuant to Sections 33-46 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and relevant articles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

The application was filed on July 22 before the Ibadan Division of the Oyo State High Court.

Apart from the Attorney General of the Federation, the State Security Service and the Director SSS, Oyo State were also listed as respondents.

Igboho also asked the court to among other things declare that the July 1, invasion of his house, Igboho villa in the Soka area of Ibadan is a violation of the fundamental right to privacy.

He’s also sought an order of the court directing the respondents to return all the items seized from the house. He lists the items to include, N2m cash, one thousand Euros, travel documents including international passports belonging to him and his family members, gold jewelry and wristwatches, 2 mobile phones, and other items yet unknown but which were allegedly carted away by the SSS.

Details later…gr