Court Bailiffs Sue Awka DPO, Anambra CP, IGP for N500m Over Alleged Rights Violation
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Five bailiffs of the Anambra State Judiciary have filed a N500 million fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Divisional Police Officer, B-Division, Awka, over alleged assault and rights violation.
The suit, marked HOS/MISC/25/2026, was filed before the High Court of Anambra State, Orumba South Judicial Division, in Umunze.
Joined as 1st to 4th respondents are the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, and Mr. Stephen Okwundu, DPO, B-Division, Awka.
The applicants are Nweje Francis, Onwuasoanya Franklyn Ifeanyi, Okafor Ikenna Michael, Okeke Mmaduabuchi Leonard and Umeh Chigozie Livinus, all bailiffs attached to the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Awka, and staff of the Anambra State Judiciary.
The action was filed by C.E. Ezenwa, K.O.K. Ajaoku, C.N. Igboka and P.I.B. Agbata & Co. of Nkpuluobi-Awka Chambers, Amawbia.
In a 26-paragraph affidavit in support of the motion on notice deposed to by the second applicant, Onwuasoanya, the bailiffs said they were at a property behind the Central Bank of Nigeria office, Okpuno, Awka, on October 7, 2026, to execute a valid judgment of the court.
They alleged that while on the lawful assignment, the fourth respondent and policemen under his command intercepted and assaulted them without justification.
The affidavit read in part, “That while the officers were beating us, the 4th respondent also joined in assaulting us.
“That the act of the 4th respondent in ordering his men to beat us and personally joining in the assault is unlawful and constitutes a violation of our fundamental right to dignity of human person.”
The applicants alleged that after assaulting them, the DPO threatened to arrest and detain them, boasting that as a senior police officer he could do anything to them and nothing would happen.
“That after the assault, the 4th respondent threatened to arrest and detain us, boasting that as a senior police officer he could do anything and nothing would happen,” they averred.
They maintained that their action on the said date was lawful, as they were at the property to execute a valid judgment of the court in their official capacity as bailiffs of the Anambra State Judiciary.
“That our actions on the said 7th October, 2026 were lawful duties performed in the course of our official functions as bailiffs,” the affidavit stated.
“That the Nigeria Police Force is not an agency for oppression and brutality, but a law enforcement agency responsible for protection of lives and property.”
In their written address, counsel to the applicants submitted that the alleged beating, torture and degrading treatment violated Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees the right to dignity of the human person. He described the conduct of the DPO as an abuse of office and an attempt to act as a self-appointed protector of the judgment debtor.
The applicants averred that the alleged brutality had caused them pecuniary loss, inconvenience and dehumanisation, stating, “That unless this honourable court intervenes, the 4th respondent will not desist from police brutality and abuse of office.”
The applicants averred that the alleged brutality had caused them pecuniary loss, severe inconvenience and dehumanisation, adding that unless the honourable court intervenes, the DPO would not desist from further acts of police brutality and abuse of office.
