A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday struck out a fundamental rights enforcement procedure suit filed by alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwamadike a.k.a Evans, against the police over seizure of his property.
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case as the suit ought to have been filed before a Lagos State High Court where the applicant was facing charges of kidnapping.
Evans filed the suit in June last year through his counsel, Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje, according to NAN, and joined as respondents, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police and I-G’s Intelligence Response Team.
The applicant prayed the court to declare that alleged forceful seizure of his property by the respondents without any court order was illegal and unconstitutional.
He listed some of the property as N500 million, another N500 million, two residential houses located at Magodo, Lagos State, a Brigade wristwatch worth 20,000 dollars, necklaces worth 25,000 dollars and five pieces of diamond rings.
Also listed are one Lexus 470, a Grand Cherokee, a Toyota Highlander, 85 Samsung television sets, 45KVA generator, 22KVA generator, 20KVA inverter worth N10 million and five sets of freezers.
The applicant had sought an order compelling the respondents to unconditionally release the property.
Evans had also asked the court for an order compelling the respondents to unconditionally unseal and vacate without delay, the two residential houses located at Magodo.
The judge noted that the respondents did not file any defence in spite of being served hearing notices
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