ASSAULT: Charly Boy sues Police, demands N500m, public apology

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has been dragged before the FCT High Court Maitama, Abuja, by popular activist, musician and entertainer, Charles Oputa also known as Charly Boy.

The suit was sequel to the assault Charly Boy claimed was meted out to him and his “OurMumuDonDo” protesters. which happened on August 8, 2017, during the group’s ‘Resume or Resign protests’.

In the motion filed by the activist lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, on October 4, 2017, Charly Boy joined the FCT Police Commissioner as a respondent.

He asked the court to determine in the fundamental rights enforcement suit with reference number FCT/HC/CV/3037/2017, “whether the use of teargas canisters, water cannon and wild police dogs by the agents and officers of the Respondent to attack, harass and disperse members of the OurMumuDonDo movement and Concerned Nigerians group during a peaceful demonstration at the Unity Fountain in Maitama, Abuja is not unjustifiable, illegal, unconstitutional and a breach of the Applicant’s fundamental rights to the dignity of the human person, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association and contrary to Sections 34, 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Articles 5, 9, 10 and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

He is therefor seeking the following reliefs from the court, “An Order compelling the Police to publish a public apology to him in five National Newspapers, and the payment of the sum of N500m as general damages to him for the violation of his fundamental rights to dignity of the human person, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association on Tuesday, 8th August, 2017 at Unity Fountain in Maitama, Abuja,” the originating motion reads.”

No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

OurMumuDonDo movement and Concerned Nigerians group had embarked on the protest to demand that Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari, who had spent over 90 days in London for an undisclosed ailment either returns to the country and continue as President or resign.

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