Legal Practitioner Files Fundamental Rights Suit Against Police Over Civil Property Dispute
A legal practitioner, Chinyere Chigbu, has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, and several senior police officers over his alleged illegal arrest and detention in connection with a civil property dispute.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1985/0/2024, seeks N500 million in damages for unlawful arrest, detention, and violation of Chigbu’s fundamental human rights between December 16 and 18, 2024. Chigbu, who serves as the Company Secretary for Black Sea Investments Ltd, named Mr. Attah Johnson, Zinary Investment Business Ltd, Chief Nnamdi Ihoema, Sales People Nigeria Ltd, and senior police officers including CP Jude Azuka, DCP Ogedegbe, SP Habib Alkali, and DSP Elvis Ibe as respondents in the case.
According to court documents, the dispute originated from a lapsed property conversion and investment agreement between Black Sea Investments Ltd and Zinary Investment Business Ltd concerning Plot 1828, Cadastral Zone B13 Gaduwa District, Abuja. The agreement, which was signed in April 2023, reportedly expired in April 2024.
Chigbu alleges that he was arrested and detained for two days after sending demand letters on behalf of his client, Black Sea Investments Ltd, whose Managing Director is former footballer Ambassador John Fashanu. The lawyer claims he was denied access to his phone, medication, and legal representation while in custody.
He further contends that police officers, acting under the instigation of Johnson and others, fabricated criminal charges against him, including conspiracy, obtaining by false pretense (OBT), and threat to life—charges he asserts are rooted in a purely civil matter.
In addition to seeking N500 million in damages, Chigbu is asking the court to declare the police officers involved unfit for office and request their removal from service. He also demands a written apology from the respondents and a perpetual injunction to prevent further harassment over the property dispute.
The case, which raises concerns about police interference in civil matters, is scheduled for hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
