A Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, has awarded a total of ₦30 million in damages to a former employee of KAM Integrated Company Ltd., Samuel Oniyide, over his unlawful detention for 23 days.
In the judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Ariwoola Junior awarded ₦25 million in damages jointly against KAM Integrated Company Ltd. and its Chairman, Dr. Kamoru Yusuf, for violating Oniyide’s fundamental human rights. The court also awarded ₦5 million against the company’s Chief Security Officer, SP Sodiq, for his role in the unlawful detention.
Justice Ariwoola Junior held that Oniyide’s detention constituted a breach of his constitutional rights, stressing that Dr. Yusuf had no legal authority to detain a former employee without a valid court order or police warrant.
According to the judgment, the actions of KAM Integrated Company Ltd. and its chairman amounted to an unlawful deprivation of liberty.
The court further ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) abused its investigative powers by continuing an inquiry into a matter after the Nigeria Police Force had concluded its investigation.
However, Justice Ariwoola Junior absolved the Commissioner of Police of any liability, holding that there was no evidence to show that he authorised or approved Oniyide’s detention.
The suit was instituted by Oniyide through his counsel, Taiwo Hammed and Tajudeen Abdullahi, after KAM Integrated Company Ltd. accused him of misappropriating more than ₦5 billion.
During the proceedings, Oniyide, through his legal representatives, urged the court to intervene in what he described as persistent police harassment allegedly instigated by Dr. Yusuf. He argued that any allegations against him should have been pursued through lawful judicial processes rather than unlawful detention.
In its final determination, the court upheld Oniyide’s claims, awarded damages against KAM Integrated Company Ltd., Dr. Kamoru Yusuf, and SP Sodiq, criticised the EFCC for exceeding its investigative mandate, and dismissed the case against the Commissioner of Police for lack of evidence.
