The Federal High Court in Awka, presided over by Justice F. O. Riman, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, ordered the unconditional release of Prince Kenechukwu Okoroeze, who had been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since October 11, 2021.

The court declared that Okoroeze’s fundamental rights to life, dignity, personal liberty, and freedom of movement, as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, had been flagrantly breached by the DSS.

Justice Riman further awarded the sum of N10 million as general and exemplary damages against the DSS for the violation of Okoroeze’s rights.

The court also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the DSS and its agents from further infringing upon Okoroeze’s fundamental rights.

The court struck out the name of the Attorney General of the Federation, who was listed as the 4th respondent in the suit, stating that the complaint was directly against the DSS and not the Federal Government.

Okoroeze, through his counsel, had filed the suit challenging his arrest and continuous detention by the DSS since October 11, 2021, without trial or lawful justification. The court upheld his claims and ordered his immediate release, with a 21% interest per annum on the judgment sum until full liquidation.

The judgment serves as a reminder to security agencies to uphold the rule of law and respect the fundamental rights of citizens in the discharge of their duties.