… PSC has long restricted officers from delving into civil matters – Lawyer
An Anambra businessman, Mr. Tochukwu Nwokoye Nwosu, has dragged a police officer serving in the state Police Command to court for unlawfully arresting and detaining him.
In a suit filed on his behalf by his counsel, Joseph Ezeh, at the High Court of Anambra State, with suit number A/MISC. 392/2024, Nwosu is claiming N20million in compensation for his detention by CSP Ifeanyi Iburu.
The plainfiff was said to have been arrested on 4th September at Kamali Estate Phase 3 in Awka by men of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, on the order of the respondent, CSP Iburu, and later detained.
Counsel to the applicant in the suit stated that the arrest of his client was unlawful and a clear violation of right to personal liberty.
“The detention of the applicant inside the cell of the Police Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu on September 4, 2024, and between 10a.m. and 10p.m. is unlawful and a clear breach of the applicant’s right to personal liberty.”
The suit demanded N20million compensation to the applicant against the respondent for the unlawful arrest, and an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondent from further arresting and detaining him.
The suit also sought an order for the respondent to render a public apology to the applicant for his unlawful arrest and detention.
It was gathered that Nwosu was arrested over a land ownership case in his community, Awka, however his counsel, Ezeh, argued that the Police Service Commission (PSC) has long restricted officers from delving into civil matters, especially land, rent and marital disputes.