By Ayodele Popoola

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The Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, has appealed the N20 million damages judgement awarded against it by an Akure High Court, in favour of a 30-year old man, Taiwo Akinseloyin, over the alleged breach of his fundamental rights.

 Justice A.O. Adebusoye of the Ondo State High Court, Akure, had on March 11, 2025, delivered judgement in a suit filed by Akinseloyin against the Ondo State Government, Amotekun Corps, and its State Commandant.

 The court held that Akinseloyin’s arrest and detention between August 6 and 16, 2023, were unlawful, unconstitutional, and a violation of his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, and freedom of movement.

 The judge awarded N20 million in damages and N250,000 in costs, in favour of the applicant.

 Dissatisfied with the ruling, the Amotekun Corps has approached the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, asking it to upturn the lover court’s verdict.

 The agency argued that the trial judge erred in law, leading to a miscarriage of justice.

The state counsel, O.F. Akeredolu, who confirmed the appeal, said the agency is asking the appellate court to set aside the lower court’s judgement.

 According to the appeal, the Amotekun Corps described the N20 million damages as “excessive, arbitrary, and unsupported by the evidence presented in court.”

It urged the Appellate court to substitute the award with a nominal sum of N500,000.

 Akeredolu noted that the trial court had previously found the initial arrest lawful, adding that the delay in charging Akinseloyin to court was due to factors beyond the agency’s control, including administrative and medical constraints.

 “It was practically impossible to take the applicant to court because of his medical condition,” he explained.

 He further disclosed that medical reports tendered in court showed that Akinseloyin was treated for gunshot wounds during his detention.

 “The trial judge ought to have balanced the protection of fundamental rights with public interest. Instead, the court awarded a windfall that unjustly rewards the applicant for his alleged criminality,” Akeredolu added.

 The appeal further maintained that the N20 million damages would allow the applicant to profit from his actions, insisting that a more reasonable award would have been a nominal sum reflecting the circumstances.