BREAKING NEWS! Baba Suwe loses bid for NDLEA’s N25millon compensation

The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, has overturned the ruling of a High Court and quashed the N25million compensatory damages awarded to Nollywood actor, Babatunde Omidina, famously known as Baba Suwe.

The money was due to be paid to the actor, over his detention by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for allegedly ingesting hard drugs.

In the ruling, the Court of Appeal re-affirmed the right of the NDLEA to investigate, arrest, detain and prosecute drug suspects as long as the agency acts within the law.

 The court said the NDLEA had not violated Mr. Omidina's rights because it sought and got court orders from the federal high court to keep him in custody after they arrested him on the suspicion that he had ingested hard drugs.

In a judgment delivered by Justice R. N Pemu, the court held that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), had good reason to detain the comedian. It upheld the argument of the NDLEA that the Lagos State High Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter and accordingly set aside the 25 million Naira compensation awarded against the NDLEA and the order to publish public apology in two national dailies within 21 days of judgment. “The Agency was conscious of the fundamental rights of the comedian when it promptly approached the Federal High Court Lagos for additional days of detention for observation. There was simply no basis for the 25 million Naira damages. The compensation is excessive and hereby set aside” Justice Pemu stated.

While commending the outcome of the appeal, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade described the judgment as a victory for drug control in the country. In his words, “this judgment is a victory for drug control in the country”.

The NDLEA Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Mr. Femi Oloruntoba, expressed delight with the Appeal Court judgment. “We are happy with the judgment. It is fair and serves the best interest of justice” Femi stated

However, Baba Suwe's attorneys led by civil rights activist, Bamidele Aturu, have vowed to take the matter before the Supreme Court.

The comic act was unlawful arrested during the screening of Air France Passengers to Paris and further detained for nine days from October 12, 2011 to October 20, 2011.