In a landmark judgment upholding the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens, a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay ₦2 million in damages to Charles Ihedioha, a social media user who was unlawfully arrested and tortured over a social media post.
Mr. Ihedioha was arrested in January 2025 following a post on X (formerly Twitter) that allegedly criticized the Nigerian Police. The arrest, reportedly directed by a senior police officer, led to Mr. Ihedioha being held incommunicado for days without trial, and subjected to physical and psychological abuse.
Delivering judgment in the human rights enforcement suit filed by Mr. Ihedioha, the court held that the arrest, detention, and torture were clear violations of his constitutional rights to freedom of expression, personal liberty, and dignity of the human person, as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, and 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the matter, stated unequivocally that the actions of the police amounted to “gross abuse of power” and “a deliberate attempt to intimidate a citizen for exercising his right to free speech.”
Human rights advocates and legal experts have welcomed the judgment as a critical step in safeguarding the rights of Nigerians to express themselves without fear of state harassment or abuse.
“This verdict is a strong message to security agencies that no one is above the law,” said a spokesperson for the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). “Freedom of expression is not a privilege — it is a right, and it must be protected at all costs.”