DSS raid: Appeal court nullifies ‘outrageous’ N20bn damages awarded to Igboho

The court of appeal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, has nullified the N20 billion damages awarded to Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, over the invasion of his home.

In July 2021, Igboho was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic over the alleged falsification of his passport.

Prior to his arrest, the Department of State Services (DSS) had declared him wanted for allegedly stockpiling weapons in his residence.

On September 17, 2021, Igboho sued the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and the Department of State Services (DSS), demanding N5.5 billion in damages over the raid on his Ibadan home.

Ladiran Akintola, who presided over the fundamental human rights suit, directed that N20bn be paid for exemplary and aggravated damages.

The federal government had subsequently said it would appeal the judgment of the Oyo state high court.

In a judgement delivered virtually on Tuesday, Muslim Hassan, the judge, ruled that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, and thereby, set aside the judgement.

He said the lower court judge ought not to have awarded the cost based on his personal parameter.

Hassan also described the cost awarded as “outrageous”.