Journalist Sues Abia Government, Police for N5 million for Alleged Violation of her Rights
An Abia State based journalist, Ms Charity Uwakwe, popularly known as Distinguished Chacha has filed a N5 million suit at the Federal High Court in Umuahia against the State Government and the Nigeria Police asking the court to declare that the forceful detention, physical assault, intimidation, and degrading treatment to which she was subjected in the course of her journalistic duties on June 30, 2023 constitute a violation of her rights under the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The suit filed on her behalf by Umuahia-based human rights lawyer, Mr. Denniseon Emeka Agu, on June 13, 2025, through an Originating Summons process, was brought pursuant to Sections 34(1), 35(1) and (6), 39, and 46(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended; Articles 4, 5, and 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and Order II, Rules 1, 2, and 3 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009.
Named as respondents in the suit are Mrs. Oluchi Franklin, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs and an employee of the State Government; the Abia State Government, the Attorney-General of the State, the Nigerian Police Force, and the State Police Commissioner.
Ms Uwakwe, who described herself as a journalist lawfully engaged in investigative reporting on matters of public interest, is seeking:
A declaration that the forceful detention, physical assault, intimidation, and degrading treatment meted to her by Mrs. Franklin, acting under the authority of the Abia State Government, on June 30, 2023, for over three hours without lawful justification, constitute violations of her rights under Sections 34(1) and 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Articles 4 and 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
A declaration that the refusal or failure by officers and agents under the supervision of the Attorney General of Abia State, including law enforcement agencies in the State, to process her complaint unless she paid an unlawful bribe constitutes a violation of her right to access justice under Section 36(1) of the Constitution.
A declaration that the threats, insults, verbal abuse, and public humiliation to which she was subjected by Mrs. Franklin, including calling her a “roadside/mushroom journalist”, amount to degrading treatment and a violation of her constitutional right to dignity under Section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
An order compelling the Attorney-General, the Nigeria Police Force and the State Police Commissioner to initiate a thorough investigation into the unlawful acts committed by Mrs. Franklin and other officials and to prosecute all those found culpable.
An order directing the Respondents jointly and severally to pay her the sum of ₦5 million as general and exemplary damages for the gross violation of her fundamental rights.
An order of perpetual injunction restraining Mrs. Franklin, her agents, and other staff of the Abia State Government from further harassing, detaining, or threatening her in the course of her journalistic duties.
An order directing the Respondents to publish a written apology to her in two national newspapers, including The Guardian and The Punch, for the wrongful acts committed against her.
Elaborating the grounds upon which she is making the claims, Ms Uwakwe said on June 30, 2023, she visited the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs to inquire about a public project and was unlawfully detained, physically assaulted, and humiliated by Mrs. Franklin and alleged that the official’s actions were carried out under the authority and within the premises of a government agency, making the State Government vicariously liable.
According to her, upon lodging a complaint at the Central Police Station, officers acting under the authority of the State Government refused to take action unless an unlawful monetary inducement was paid, thereby denying her access to justice.
Ms Uwakwe contended that these actions and omissions violate her constitutional rights to dignity, liberty, fair hearing, and freedom of expression, thereby warranting the intervention of the Court.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
