Justice Dimgba of the Federal High Court in Asaba has fined the Department of States Security Service ₦10million over a sim card issue involving President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Hannan.
Hanan Buhari, the DSS and telecoms firm, MTN, were sued for human rights abuse by Anthony Okolie, the man detained for 10 weeks over the use of a sim card previously used by the president’s daughter.
Mr Okolie, through his lawyer, Tope Akinyode, had demanded N500 million “as general and aggravated damages for the gross and unlawful violation of the applicant’s right to acquire moveable properties, freedom of movement and self dignity.”
Justice Dimgba however awarded the sum of N10 million against SSS for the abuse of Mr Okolie’s fundamental human rights.
He also absolved Hannan Buhari of any wrong doing in the case.
Speaking after the judgement, Mr Okolie through his lawyer, Mr Akinyode said: “As far as we are concerned, it is a good judgement for democracy. It is a symbolism of judgement for the masses. The monetary sum does not matter to us.
“We are not particular about the money, we are happy to establish that the SSS is a lawless security outfit.”
On the exemption of punitive measures for Hanan and MTN, the lawyer said: “The judge said there are no substantial evidence to nail them and we will be challenging this. We have evidence and they were not challenged (this). The court should rely on it as truth because they are not controverted.”
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