Court Awards N12m Damages Against Police Over Abduction, Detention Of THE WHISTLER Reporter

The Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided over by Justice Bello Kawu, has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay N12 million in damages and litigation costs to Kasarahchi Aniagolu, a reporter with THE WHISTLER Newspaper, over her abduction, unlawful detention and ill-treatment.

In a statement signed by Tajudeen Suleiman, Managing Editor of THE WHISTLER Newspaper, the newspaper said the judgment followed the suit instituted by Aniagolu over her arrest, detention and ill-treatment by the police.

The court awarded N10 million as damages for the infringement of Aniagolu’s fundamental rights and another N2 million to cover the cost of litigation.

Aniagolu was arrested and detained for about eight hours on February 21, 2024, in Abuja, following a police operation in Wuse Zone 4, where operatives were reportedly conducting a covert operation against operators of illegal bureau de change.

The reporter subsequently instituted a suit against the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force on October 25, 2024, demanding N100 million in damages.

In her statement of claim, Aniagolu alleged that the police abducted her, seized her mobile phone and deleted photographs stored on the device, thereby violating her right to privacy.

She also alleged that she was subjected to inhuman treatment during her detention, which she said violated her fundamental rights.

The suit was filed on her behalf by Adekunle Kosoko of Seasons Law Firm, Abuja.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Justice Kawu held that the police subjected Aniagolu to inhuman and degrading treatment in violation of Section 34(1)(a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The court also held that her abduction by police officers and subsequent detention at the police station in Guzape District of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, infringed on her right to personal liberty under Section 35(1) of the Constitution.

Justice Kawu consequently ordered the police to pay Aniagolu N10 million in damages for the infringement of her fundamental rights.

The court further ordered the police to pay N2 million as the cost of litigation.