Court frees 13 inmates unlawfully detained in Taraba, awards N448m damages

Thirteen male inmates who had been unlawfully detained for periods ranging from one to six years without trial have regained their freedom.

This is following a landmark judgment of the Federal High Court, Jalingo, delivered on Monday.

The inmates, who expressed overwhelming joy as they stepped out of detention, were released through the intervention of human rights lawyer, Barrister John Okezie, who represented them pro bono.

Okezie, as gathered by our reporter, had filed separate fundamental rights enforcement suits against the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, and the Department of State Services, DSS, challenging their unlawful detention.

Delivering judgment, Justice Maskur Salisu described the prolonged incarceration of the men as a flagrant violation of their constitutional rights.

He ordered their immediate release and awarded a total of N48 million in damages against the security agencies.

“The prolonged detention of citizens without trial is not only unconstitutional but an affront to human dignity,” Justice Salisu declared.

He further warned that law enforcement agencies must operate strictly within the bounds of the law and respect the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria..

The court found that the detainees had been held in various facilities across the state for years without being charged to court.

In each case, Justice Salisu ruled that their rights to liberty and fair hearing had been grossly violated, condemning the actions of the security agencies as “reprehensible and unlawful.”

The judgment was officially enforced on November 3, 2025.

Human rights advocates, who spoke with our reporter, hailed the ruling as a milestone for civil liberties and a strong statement against arbitrary detention in Nigeria.

Speaking with journalists, Barrister Okezie said his motivation was to help decongest prisons and ensure that justice is accessible to all, regardless of financial status.

“This was a pro bono effort aimed at ensuring that justice is not reserved for only those who can afford it,” he said.

He urged the freed men to make the most of their second chance and avoid any conduct that could return them to prison.

Some of the released inmates, visibly emotional, expressed profound gratitude to Okezie for his intervention.

“We would still be rotting in jail if not for his help,” one of them said, adding: “we’ve learned our lessons and will live better lives.”

The ruling was observed to have been widely celebrated as a victory for human rights and a powerful reminder of the judiciary’s vital role in safeguarding citizens against abuse of power by law enforcement agencies.