Court orders Nigerian Army to pay N1m to actress Ebere Ohakwe over brutalization

This was after the court found the army guilty of human rights abuse against Ebere Ohakwe, which reportedly occurred on January 30, 2017.

The actress was allegedly brutalised by one Olamilekan Suleiman, who used a stick and an iron to inflict injuries on her.

The trial Judge, Justice Adamu Mohammed, consequently ordered the army to pay the sum of N1m as damages to Ebere Ohakwe.

Mohammed said “One, it is, hereby declared that the arrest, harassment, embarrassment, torture and assault meted on the applicant by the first, second and third respondents and other officers of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on January 13, 2017, is unconstitutional and a violation of the dignity of human life.

“Two, the first, second and third respondents are restrained from further threatening, harassing, embarrassing, arrest, torture and inhuman treatment of the applicant, except in circumstances provided by the law.

“Three, the sum of N1 million is awarded to the applicant against the respondents. The respondents are ordered to tender an unreserved apology to the applicant.”

Justice Mohammed further restrained the army from carrying out any further actions against the victim.

He warned security operatives to act with civility and responsibility, especially on issues relating to fundamental human rights of the citizenry.