The Federal High Court in Uyo on Tuesday again adjourned hearing in a ₦3 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by three investigative journalists against the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Justice Ekaette F. F. Obot, and several senior police officers over alleged unlawful arrest and detention.
The suit, marked FHC/UY/FHR/74/25, could not proceed after defence counsel failed to regularise their court processes as previously directed.
The applicants Dennis Udoma of Daily Monitor, Tony Nyong of Eagle Online, and Iniobong Ekponta of Leadership Newspapers all members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, allege they were arrested on March 28, 2025, on the orders of Justice Obot while probing a developing story within the State Judiciary.
They claim they were harassed, intimidated, and detained by operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team led by CSP Kokoete Ebong, allegedly acting on instructions from the Chief Judge and the Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Azare.
In the suit filed on July 18, 2025, the journalists are demanding ₦3 billion as exemplary damages—₦1.5 billion against the Chief Judge and ₦500 million each against the Police and its officers, jointly and severally. They also seek a court order compelling the respondents to tender written apologies to be published in at least two national dailies, including ThisDay, The Guardian, or The Punch.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, applicants’ lead counsel, Barr. Fidel Albert, criticised the respondents for what he described as deliberate delays.
“This is a fundamental human rights matter; it ought to be progressing speedily,” Albert told reporters. “Unfortunately, the respondents do not seem anxious to have this case heard on its merits.”
He noted that although respondents undertook on October 15, 2025, to file applications to regularise their processes, they failed to do so. He added that while counsel had initially entered appearance for all four police respondents, only two—the Commissioner of Police and the Nigeria Police Force—are currently represented.
Albert requested the court to award costs against the respondents for the repeated adjournments. However, presiding judge, Hon. Justice M. A. Onyetenu, ruled that costs would be addressed at the conclusion of the matter.
The case was adjourned to January 27, 2026, for further hearing.
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