A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by singer Darlington Achakpo, popularly known as Speed Darlington, against the police.
The case has been postponed until January 27.
The adjournment followed a request by the counsel for the Inspector-General of Police, CSP Audu Garba, who asked for more time to review a further affidavit submitted in court by Achakpo's lawyer, Abubakar Marshal. When the case was called, Marshal informed the court that the matter was to hear the substantive application for the enforcement of Achakpo's fundamental rights.
Marshal also mentioned that the police had served them with a counter-affidavit on Friday, and they had filed a further affidavit in response. However, Garba claimed he had not yet received the further affidavit and requested more time to study it.
The judge, Justice Musa Liman, granted permission for Garba to be served with a copy of the affidavit in court. When Marshal sought to proceed with the application, Garba objected, stating that he needed time to review whether the further affidavit raised new facts or legal issues before responding.
Justice Liman adjourned the case until January 27 for the adoption of the matter.
In the fundamental rights suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, Speed Darlington is suing the Inspector-General of Police as the sole respondent. The artist is seeking a declaration that his arrest and detention violated his fundamental rights under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. He is also requesting four specific orders from the court:
- Immediate and unconditional release from detention.
- Alternatively, an order to produce him before the court for an inquiry into the grounds for his arrest and detention, and potentially granting bail.
- An order for the police to pay him N300 million in general, exemplary, and aggravated damages for unlawful and continued detention.
The case continues to draw attention as Speed Darlington fights for justice and the enforcement of his fundamental rights.
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