Charges Against MKO Abiola’s Widow Thrown Out As Court Grants ₦100 Million Damages

According to Ireporter Online, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Abuja has dismissed all allegations filed by the Nigeria Police Force against Prof. Zainab Duke-Abiola, widow of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, while awarding her ₦100 million in damages for violation of her fundamental rights.

Delivering judgment, Justice E. Okpe described the conduct of the police as inhuman, degrading, and a clear breach of the claimant’s constitutional rights. The court held that the actions taken against Duke-Abiola amounted to unlawful treatment that violated her dignity, liberty, and fundamental human rights.

The court further ruled that the allegations against her were unsubstantiated, dismissing the case in its entirety and awarding ₦100 million jointly against the Nigeria Police Force, former Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba, Inspector Teju Moses, the FCT Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Umar, and other defendants.

Duke-Abiola had approached the court over alleged harassment and what she described as a media trial linked to claims that she assaulted a police orderly. She firmly denied the allegation, stating that no such incident occurred in her residence and noting that CCTV coverage in her home would have disproved the claims.

She further maintained that she was not a suspect but a victim of a coordinated setup, insisting that the allegations were fabricated.

In his ruling, Justice Okpe described the incident as a forceful abduction and unlawful detention, stating that the claimant was seized without due process and subjected to humiliation. He added that the actions of the defendants amounted to a calculated attempt at political persecution.

The court consequently dismissed all charges, ordered the police to publish a public apology in two national newspapers, and issued a perpetual injunction restraining further harassment or intimidation of the claimant.