MAN SUES FG, RIVERS GOVT, NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICE OVER 18-YEAR DETENTION WITHOUT TRIAL

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A 32-year-old man, Gospel Kinanee, has dragged the Federal Government, the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Rivers State Government to court, demanding N10 billion in damages over his alleged unlawful detention for 18 years without trial.

Kinanee, who claimed he was arrested at the age of 14, alleged that he spent nearly two decades in a correctional facility in Rivers State without any formal trial, record, or trace of his case.

The suit, marked PHC/1265/FHR/2026, was filed at the Rivers State High Court by a Non-Governmental Organisation, Haven360 Community Impact Initiative, on his behalf.

Other respondents in the suit include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Minister of Interior, the Rivers State Government, and the Attorney General of Rivers State.

According to the originating motion dated April 13, 2026, Kinanee accused the respondents of unlawful arrest, detention, imprisonment, abuse, physical and mental degradation, as well as humiliation.

He is seeking N10 billion as “general, compensatory, aggravated, exemplary and punitive damages” for the mental, physical, emotional, financial and psychological hardship he allegedly endured during the prolonged detention.

Kinanee further argued that his incarceration without trial violated his constitutional rights to life, dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and freedom of movement as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.

The applicant is also asking the court to compel the respondents to issue a written public apology to be published in at least two national newspapers and one local newspaper circulating in Rivers State.

The matter has been scheduled for hearing on June 1.

Speaking on the development, Kinanee’s counsel, Cyrus Onu, alleged that the prolonged detention severely affected his client’s mental health and caused deep psychological trauma.

Onu also raised concerns over alleged threats and intimidation targeted at compelling Kinanee to withdraw the suit.