Court Orders Release of 13 Inmates Held Without Trial, Awards N48M Damages
In a significant ruling for civil rights in Nigeria, the Federal High Court in Jalingo has secured the release of thirteen men who were detained without trial for up to six years, while imposing substantial financial penalties on law enforcement agencies.
Justice Maskur Salisu delivered the landmark judgment ordering the immediate liberation of the inmates and mandated the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Department of State Services (DSS) to pay N48 million in damages for human rights violations.
The breakthrough came through the pro bono legal efforts of human rights attorney John Nkemnagum Okezie, who filed separate fundamental rights enforcement suits for each detainee. Justice Salisu condemned the extended detention as “a gross violation of their constitutional rights and an affront to human dignity,” emphasizing that such practices directly contradict Nigeria’s constitutional provisions.
The court’s investigation revealed that the men had been held across various facilities without formal charges, prompting Justice Salisu to rule that their rights to liberty and fair hearing had been “reprehensibly and unlawfully violated.” The court orders were executed on November 3, 2025.
The verdict resonated strongly with human rights organizations, who praised it as a crucial victory for civil liberties. Advocates particularly highlighted Okezie’s volunteer legal work, acknowledging that without his intervention, the detainees might have remained imprisoned indefinitely.
Addressing the media post-verdict, Okezie explained his mission to reduce prison overcrowding in the state. “This was a pro bono effort aimed at ensuring that justice is not reserved for only those who can afford it,” he remarked. The lawyer also counseled the freed inmates to embrace their newfound freedom responsibly.
The released men, showing visible emotion, expressed their gratitude to Okezie. One former detainee stated, “We would still be rotting in jail if not for his help. We’ve learned our lessons and will strive to live better lives.”
The ruling has been widely recognized as a powerful assertion of judicial authority in protecting citizens’ rights and maintaining checks on law enforcement agencies in Nigeria. The case underscores the ongoing challenge of unlawful detention in the country and the crucial role of the judiciary in addressing such violations.
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