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 “frivolous” suit against the secret police.
The court presided over by Justice A. Y. Shafa, in its judgment, held that Dominic’s evidence, including the Service’s defence and counter-affidavit, failed to establish any breach of his rights by the DSS.
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.
Dominic therefore sought a declaratory order that the actions by the DSS infringed on his right to life, dignity, and personal liberty and prayed the court to award him N10 million as compensation.
However, Justice Shafa in his ruling, held that the case was frivolous and without merit, and, thereafter, ordered the plaintiff to pay N5 million to the DSS.
In his remarks shortly after the ruling of the court, a senior lawyer hailed the ruling, saying that it would enhance the effective functioning of security agencies in Nigeria.
According to the senior lawyer; “This ruling reinforces the principle that security agencies have a critical role to play, and they must be allowed to carry out their duties without unnecessary interference.
“If security operatives cannot invite suspects or witnesses for inquiries, their ability to deliver on national security and enforce the law would be severely compromised.
“The court’s decision sends a clear message discouraging frivolous litigations against security agencies, which could otherwise hinder their operations and impede justice” he emphasised.
