Journalists vs CJ, Police: Court Adjourns N3bn Rights Abuse Suit to Jan 27
The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, has adjourned hearing in a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by three investigative journalists against the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Justice Ekaette Obot, the Commissioner of Police, and other senior police officers, over alleged unlawful arrest and detention.
The case, numbered FHC/UY/FHR/74/25, was stalled after defence counsel failed to regularize their court processes as earlier directed by the court.
The applicants Dennis Udoma (Daily Monitor Newspapers), Tony Nyong (Eagle Online), and Iniobong Ekponta (Leadership Newspapers) all members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, alleged that they were unlawfully arrested by police operatives on March 28, 2025, on the orders of Justice Obot, while investigating alleged scandals and irregularities within the State Judiciary.
They were reportedly harassed, intimidated, and detained by operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, led by CSP Kokoete Ebong, who allegedly acted under the instructions of the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, and the Nigeria Police Force.
In their applications filed on July 18, 2025, the journalists are seeking ₦3 billion in exemplary damages ₦1.5 billion against the Chief Judge and ₦0.5 billion each against the Police and its officers, jointly and severally.
They are also asking the court to compel the respondents to issue written apologies to be published in at least two national newspapers, such as ThisDay, The Guardian, or The Punch.
During Thursday’s proceedings, counsel to the applicants, Barr. Fidel Albert, expressed frustration over the respondents’ failure to comply with the court’s filing timelines.
“This is a fundamental human rights matter; it ought to progress speedily. Unfortunately, the respondents do not seem anxious to have this case heard on its merits,” he stated.
Albert recalled that at the previous sitting on October 15, 2025, the respondents had undertaken to file applications to regularize their processes but failed to do so before the new date.
“The 1st Defendant’s counsel filed since September but withheld service on us until just a few days ago,” al “the Police also failed to serve us any process until the eve of today’s sitting.” he said.
He further noted that although counsel had earlier entered appearance for all four Police respondents, only two, the Commissioner of Police and the Nigeria Police Force were represented in court, leaving the SWAT officers unrepresented and without any filed processes.
Albert consequently applied for costs over the repeated adjournments. However, the presiding judge, Hon. Justice M. A. Onyetenu, ruled that the issue of costs would be determined at the conclusion of the matter.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to January 27, 2026, for hearing.
