Okuama Indigenes Sue DSS, Army, demand ₦200 Miilion

Two of the six leaders of the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Area of Delta State that were apprehended by military officials last month have dragged the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS) to the Federal High Court, Warri, seeking compensation of ₦200 million naira in two fundamental rights suits.

James Oghorokor and Dennis Okugbaye, in their individual legal actions, have sought representation from Malcolm Omirhobo Esq, Akpokona Omafuaire Esq, and others.

They are contesting their arrests and the subsequent detention without formal charges or the opportunity to consult with their legal counsel.

On August 18 to 20th, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mr. James Oghoroko, Dennis Okugbaye, Pa. Anthony Ahwemuria, and Mrs. Rita Akata were detained by military officials. Their current status remains undisclosed.

In Suit NO: FHC/WR/CS/84/2024, James Oghorokor is seeking compensation of N100 million for his unlawful arrest and detention without trial.

In a similar vein, Suit NO: FHC/WR/CS/85/2024, Dennis Okugbaye is also pursuing compensation of N100 million for his unlawful arrest and detention without trial.

In their respective Originating summonses, the applicants in these legal actions are requesting the court to declare the unlawful invasion of their homes as a clear violation of their fundamental rights to privacy and property.

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They argue that such actions are illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional.

They also petitioned the court, asserting that the arrest of the applicants by the respondents’ personnel on July 19, 2024, without a warrant, their prolonged detention, and the denial of access to the applicants’ legal counsel and family members, coupled with the respondents’ refusal to initiate legal proceedings against the applicants since July 19, 2024, constitutes a blatant infringement upon the applicants’ fundamental rights to personal liberty, rendering the actions illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional.

Furthermore, they petitioned the court, arguing that the continued detention of the applicants since July 19, 2025, has unjustifiably restricted their freedom of movement, thereby violating their fundamental rights to personal liberty.

The applicants sought the court’s intervention to enforce their fundamental rights to personal liberty, the right to privacy and family life, the dignity of their human person, and the right to freedom of movement against the respondents.

They implored the court to enforce upon the respondents the immediate release of the applicants from their custody.

They sought a perpetual injunction from the court to prevent the respondents, their agents, servants, and/or their agents from engaging in further violations of the applicants’ fundamental human rights.

They sought compensation of one hundred million naira (N100,000,000) in damages against the respondents for the violation of their fundamental rights to personal liberty, privacy, the dignity of their human person, and the right to freedom of movement.