Court Declares Arrest of Akwa Ibom Traditional Worshipper Unlawful, Orders Immediate Release and Compensation
Court Declares Arrest of Akwa Ibom Traditional Worshipper Unlawful, Orders Immediate Release and Compensation
A significant human rights victory emerged on Thursday as a High Court in Akwa Ibom State declared the arrest and detention of a traditional worshipper, Mr. Effiong, unlawful and a blatant violation of his fundamental rights. The ruling, delivered after weeks of legal contestation, ordered his immediate and unconditional release while directing the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay financial damages for infringing on his rights, including his freedom of worship as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
According to court documents and statements presented during the hearing, Mr. Effiong was arrested earlier this month by security operatives allegedly acting on the instructions of certain state authorities. His arrest was linked to accusations surrounding his practice of traditional religion, a move widely criticized by civil liberties groups and advocates for religious freedom. The arrest, which sparked public criticism both within and outside the state, was viewed by many as part of a growing trend of discrimination against traditional worshippers in Nigeria.
In its judgement, the court stated unequivocally that the arrest had no legal basis and directly violated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which recognizes the right to personal liberty and freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. The presiding judge emphasized that Nigeria is a secular state and no citizen can be arrested or persecuted for choosing their mode of worship or religious expression so long as it does not contravene existing laws.
The judge further condemned the actions of the arresting officers, ruling that the detention was “a gross abuse of power” and demonstrated “a disturbing disregard for constitutional guarantees.” The court held that neither the police nor state authorities provided any lawful justification for detaining Mr. Effiong, nor did they charge him with any offense throughout the period of his detention.
In addition to ordering the immediate release of Mr. Effiong, the court mandated the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay monetary damages as compensation for the unlawful arrest, emotional distress, and violation of his rights to dignity, personal liberty, and freedom of worship. While the exact compensation amount was not disclosed publicly during the initial announcement, sources familiar with the case indicate that the court stressed the need for a “deterrent penalty” to prevent future violations.
Human rights organizations across the country have hailed the judgement as a landmark decision. The Justice and Human Dignity Forum (JHDF), one of the groups that monitored the case, described the ruling as “a victory for all Nigerians, regardless of their religious beliefs.” The organization called on the government to implement the judgement promptly and urged security agencies to respect the religious
