Court orders Nigerian police to pay N1m damages to  Cameroon Senator, Etta

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

A  High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State has ordered the Nigeria police to pay N1m damages to Manghe Romeo Etta, a Cameroonian senator representing Manyu Division.

The presiding Judge, Justice Theresa Agom, delivered the judgment in suit No: HC/146F/2025, stating the arrest and detention of Etta over allegation of stolen vehicle was unlawful.

The court also ordered the immediate release of Etta’s vehicle, BMW – X1 model with registration number MRA 905 AL, and chassis number WBAVL1C57CVR78137 which was seized by the police.

The court  mandated the respondents to immediately release the vehicle to the applicant, having declared his arrest and detention as unlawful.

In a brief interview with our correspondent in Calabar shortly after the judgment,  Counsel to applicant Armstrong Takim Achu Esq. of Centurion Chambers Calabar, averred that applicant was able to proof the ownership of the vehicle with verifiable documents, while the respondents failed to provide any evidence to support their claims.

“The applicant was able to prove his ownership with very verifiable documents linking himself and the vehicle. 

“The respondents never presented one single evidence to prove the veracity of their defense,” Achu said.

The court awarded N1m damages to the  applicant, despite the applicant seeking N200m, citing setbacks encountered in the case.

Achu warned that the respondents would face consequences if they fail to comply with the court’s judgment, stating “they will be committing a crime” and may be charged with criminal contempt of court.

In his remarks counsel to respondents  Nyakno Usen Usoroh, said he would passed outcome of court judgement to the respondents as stated by the court.