Court  orders police to pay N9m over rights abuse-

By Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo
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The Nigeria Police Force have been ordered to pay three chieftains of the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Osun state, Alhaji Fatai Diekola, Segun Adekilekun and Sikiru Lawal, N3 million naira damages each for infringing on their human rights.

Justice A.O Ayoola, of the  Osogbo High court, who gave the verdict in his judgement,  held that the police had violated the rights of Diekola and two others, by detaining them illegally.

During the rerun of gubernatorial election in the state, the police in Osun State detained the trio on September 24, 2018,  over allegations that  Fatai Diekola and others were caught while trying to purchase PVCs from residents in Alekuwodo, and for causing public disturbance in Osogbo, the state capital.

 It was learnt that when the ruffle started in the area, the residents alerted men of the Civil Defence, who arrested them before the arrival of the police.

The three men were reportedly handed over to  the police who immediately took them into custody.

They were said to have been treated at the police Medical centre in Osogbo, for the bruises  sustained during the confrontation with some hoodlums.

According to the facts of the case before the court, residents who witnessed the violence described those who attacked Mr Diekola, as political thugs, who  trailed him to the neighbourhood that afternoon.

The court, in its verdict, also ordered the police to place public apology in major Nigerian newspapers.

Responding to the judgement, lawyer to the defendants,  Barrister Bukola Onifade, commended the judiciary for standing firm to defend the right of the oppressed masses of the country.