Following the death of an alleged man-eater, Clifford Orji, an Ikeja High Court on Thursday dismissed his one million naira suit against the Lagos State Attorney-General, Ade Ipaye.
Justice Lateefat Okunnu dismissed the suit after confirmation that Mr. Orji died on August 17 at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Lagos.
Mr. Orji had filed the suit through his counsel, Abiodun Odusote.
He challenged his continued detention in prison for about 12 years without trial.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police was joined as a respondent in the suit.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Thursday, the deceased’s counsel told the court that her client died of gastroenteritis.
Ms. Odusote said the chambers had received documents and a sworn affidavit from prisons authorities confirming Mr. Orji’s death.
She, therefore, asked the court to strike out the suit.
Mr. Orji was arraigned for murder before an Ikeja High Court which remanded him in prison on December 7, 2000.
In the suit filed by his counsel on April 26, Mr. Orji had asked the court for a declaration that his continued detention violated his right to liberty as enshrined in Section 35 (1) (4) of the 1999 Constitution.
He asked the court to order the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions to release him unconditionally from prison custody.
Mr. Orji also asked the court to order the respondents to pay him one million naira being exemplary and general damages for breaching his constitutional rights.
Source: Premium Times
