An Ikeja High Court says the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has only 21 days to pay N25M as compensation in ‘damages’ to comedic Yoruba actor Baba Suwe.
The agency had appealed the court’s decision to compensate the actor, after it was determined that it wrongfully detained him for 24 days on suspicion of him carrying illegal drug substances.
The judgement was made by presiding judge Justice Yetunde Idowu on Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Ikeja High Court. Justice Idowu said the agency had no right not to grant the request made by the Plaintiff (Baba Suwe).
She has ordered the NDLEA to give the Chief Registrar of the court the N25M before the 21 day deadline expires. The registrar will then pay the money into an agreed upon bank, into an interest-yielding account.
This means that if the case drags on, Baba Suwe stands a chance to receive more than the money he has been awarded.
‘The decision of the court is wonderful, is correct and sound enough and that is what we asked for. It is very clear the decision is quite just. We thank God for that’, Counsel to Baba Suwe’, Barrister Bamidele Aturu told NET.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA, represented by their counsel, Theresa Asuquo, are not giving up without even more of a fight. Speaking outside the court, she said ‘We will still have to appeal this judgement’.
Both the plaintiff (Baba Suwe) and defendant (NDLEA) were absent from the court room.