The Federal High Court sitting in Bauchi has ordered the Bauchi State Government to pay ₦100m as damages and issue a public apology to the former Accountant General of the state, Dr. Saidu Abubakar, over rights violations.

This verdict followed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Dr. Abubakar, who alleged that he was unlawfully arrested, intimidated, harassed, and detained by state agents over matters connected to his official responsibilities.

Arrest and harassment declared illegal

In delivering the judgement in Suit No. FHC/BAU/CS/43/2024, Justice Aminu Garba ruled that the actions of the respondents—comprising the Inspector General of Police, Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, the State Government, Attorney General of Bauchi State, Public Complaint Commission, and the State Security Service (SSS)—were unconstitutional.

The court declared:

“Threat, intimidation, unlawful arrest and detention of the applicant by agents of the respondents with respect to his official duties and functions as Accountant General of Bauchi State is unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful, null and void, and a breach of the applicant’s fundamental rights…”

The judgement cited Sections 34(1), 35, 36, 41(1), and 46(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), as well as Articles 4, 5, 6, and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Detention without trial condemned

The judge further ruled that Dr. Abubakar’s continued detention from September 9 to 25, 2024, without trial, violated his fundamental rights to liberty, movement, and dignity of the human person.

Justice Garba held that the continued detention without recourse to due process was a flagrant violation of Section 35(5) of the constitution and declared it null and void.

The court issued a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from harassing, intimidating, arresting, or detaining Dr. Abubakar in relation to his statutory duties.

N100m compensation and public apology

As part of the judgement, the court awarded Dr. Abubakar ₦100m in general and exemplary damages for the trauma, harassment, and violations he suffered.

Additionally, the court directed that a public apology be published in two national newspapers within 14 days from July 1, 2025, with a formal notice also to be sent to the applicant.

However, the court struck out the name of the State Security Service (SSS) as the fourth respondent, citing lack of sufficient evidence against them.

“An order is hereby made striking out the name of the 4th respondent as there is no any case established against them,” the court ruled.