By Our Correspondent
A Federal High Court sitting in Maiduguri has awarded ₦2 million in compensatory damages to a primary school teacher, Mr. Sherrif Umar, after ruling that his arrest and prolonged detention by the military were unlawful, unconstitutional, and a violation of his fundamental rights.
Umar was arrested, handcuffed, and publicly paraded over allegations that he assisted Boko Haram in producing improvised explosive devices (IEDs). His identity was also widely circulated in the media before any thorough investigation had been carried out.
He was reportedly held in underground detention for more than five months, during which he was deprived of his freedom and denied exposure to sunlight over allegations that were never proven against him.
The accusations, according to the account, severely tarnished his reputation and exposed his wife and children to public ridicule and stigma, with many labeling them as the family of a Boko Haram member.
Before his arrest, Umar had earned a reputation as a respected primary school teacher known for his integrity, good conduct, and unblemished record, having never been linked to any criminal activity.
Delivering judgment, the Federal High Court declared that his arrest and extended detention breached his constitutional rights and awarded him ₦2 million in damages for the unlawful arrest, wrongful detention, and violation of his fundamental rights.
Reacting to the judgment, Barrister Hamza Dantini said the ruling reinforces the principle that the fight against insecurity must always be pursued within the bounds of the law. He stressed that every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
