Justice Bello Kawu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has mandated that the Nigeria Police Force pay N12 million in damages for the illegal detention and abduction of Kasarahchi Aniagolu, a journalist for The Whistler.
Reports indicate that on February 21, 2024, officers apprehended Ms. Aniagolu in Abuja’s Wuse Zone 4 while conducting an operation targeting illegal currency exchange businesses. The journalist was held and mistreated for eight hours during the incident.
Represented by Adekunle Kosoko of Seasons Law Firm, Ms. Aniagolu launched a lawsuit in October 2024 against the Inspector-General of Police. She contended that her abduction, the seizure of her property, and the erasure of her personal photos violated her fundamental rights and privacy.
On July 29, 2026, the court ruled that the police violated sections 34(1) and 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution regarding human dignity and personal liberty. Justice Kawu ordered a payment of N10 million for rights violations and an additional N2 million to cover legal expenses. As of now, the Nigeria Police Force has not issued a statement regarding the ruling.
