₦3bn Lawsuit: Akwa Ibom Journalists Drag Chief Judge, Police Boss to Court Over Rights Abuse
Federal high court of Nigeria
Three journalists in Akwa Ibom State,Mr. Dennis Udoma, Tony Nyong, and Iniobong Ekponta, all members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council have filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Uyo against the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Ekaette F. F. Obot, and the Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, over what they described as a “grievous and unpardonable infringement” of their fundamental human rights.
In an application filed on June 5, 2025, the journalists, who are correspondents for Daily Monitor, Leadership Newspapers, and Eagle Online, are seeking the enforcement of their constitutional rights as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The case, with Suit No: FHC/UY/FHR/74/25, lists as respondents the Chief Judge, officers of the Nigeria Police Force including members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit and the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police.
The applicants allege unlawful arrest and detention orchestrated to suppress their investigative report into alleged workplace harassment, victimization, and systemic corruption within the state judiciary.
According to their sworn affidavit, the incident occurred on March 28, 2025, when they were invited to the residence of the Commissioner of Police by a former State NUJ Chairman.
Upon arrival, they claim they were accused, confronted, and subsequently arrested allegedly on the orders of the Chief Judge for probing sensitive issues concerning the judiciary.
The journalists said that they were arrested without a warrant or any legal justification.
Their court filing states:“The Respondents acted without lawful basis or reasonable suspicion that we had committed any crime. Their actions were a blatant abuse of power, designed to intimidate, silence, and punish us for carrying out our legitimate journalistic duties.”
The suit raises fundamental constitutional questions, including:Whether the arrest and detention violated the applicants’ rights to dignity, personal liberty, and freedom of expression;Whether state institutions were wrongfully deployed to harass and suppress press freedom.
The journalists are seeking multiple declaratory and injunctive reliefs, including:₦3 billion in exemplary damages,₦500 million in damages each against the Chief Judge and the Police,A perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further interference with their rights,and Public apologies to be published in ThisDay, The Guardian, or The Punch newspapers.
The applicants are represented by the Lagos-based law firm AES Triplex LP. According to their lead counsel:“The hearing today was scheduled for continuation of the case. At the last sitting on July 18, the court granted our application for maintenance of status quo, restraining the Chief Judge and the Commissioner of Police from further harassment, intimidation, or arrest of my clients.”“We served the respondents on July 29, but only recently discovered that the Chief Judge’s solicitor filed a response in September. The Police, however, have not filed anything. Both respondents sought adjournment today, which I opposed. I also requested costs, but the court declined since it was the first appearance. The matter has now been adjourned to November 11 for further hearing.”
He emphasized that the matter is straightforward:“This is a clear-cut case involving the rights of journalists. As the Fourth Estate of the Realm, journalists are constitutionally empowered to investigate and report on matters of public interest including holding public officials accountable.”
The counsel further explained that the journalists had contacted the Chief Judge for her side of the story, as part of an ongoing investigation, when she allegedly became enraged and called the Commissioner of Police, resulting in their arrest.
“They were simply doing their job. There was no crime committed. Their arrest, detention, and reported manhandling were acts of intimidation aimed at obstructing legitimate journalism.”he said.
This case is expected to serve as a litmus test for the strength of constitutional protections for journalists in Nigeria, particularly in cases involving powerful state officials. It also brings renewed attention to the alleged misuse of law enforcement to suppress media investigations.
The case, presided over by Hon. Justice M. A. Onyetenu of the Federal High Court 1, Uyo, was adjourned to November 11, 2025, to allow the defense to file the necessary court processes.
