A HIGH Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered one Sunday Dominic to pay the Department of State Services (DSS) five million naira as punitive cost for instituting a “frivoulous” suit against the secret police.
Dominic had in a suit marked FCT/HC/CV/3984/2024, claimed that the secret police invited him for questioning and threatened to arrest him on the suspicion of fraudulent activities, actions he told the court violated his fundamental rights.
He sought a declaratory order that the actions by the DSS infringed on his right to life, dignity, and personal liberty. He further pleaded with the court to award him N10 million as compensation.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice A. Y. Shafa, held that, after thoroughly examining Diminic’s evidence, including the Service’s defence and counter-affidavit, the applicant failed to establish any breach of his rights by the DSS.
In dismissing the matter, Justice Shafa held that the case was frivolous and without merit, and, thereafter, ordered the plaintiff to pay N5 million to the DSS.
Commenting, a senior lawyer hailed the ruling which he said would enhance the effective functioning of security agencies in Nigeria.
