Court Dismisses N200 Million Fundamental Rights Suit Against Police in Bauchi

From Paul Orude Bauchi

The Federal High Court sitting in Bauchi has dismissed a N200 million fundamental rights suit filed against the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police and the Bauchi State Police Command.

The judgment was delivered on July 24, 2026, by the Federal High Court, Bauchi Judicial Division, in Suit No. FHC/BAU/CS/94/2025, filed by Dr. Aliyu Sulaiman Wunti against Alhaji Abdulaziz Tijjani and five others.

The Nigeria Police Force, Inspector-General of Police and Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, were listed as the second, third and fourth respondents respectively.

The applicant had alleged violations of his fundamental rights to fair hearing and property, among other claims. 

He sought N200 million in monetary reliefs, comprising N50 million compensation for alleged demolition of his property, N100 million general damages and N50 million as the cost of the action.

However, after 11 court sittings, the legal team of the Bauchi State Police Command, led by the State Legal Officer, successfully defended the Force and the Command.

The court held that the applicant failed to establish any breach of his fundamental rights by the respondents and consequently dismissed the suit in its entirety.

The court also awarded N1 million in costs against the applicant in favour of the first to sixth respondents.

The Bauchi State Police Command said the judgment effectively shielded the Nigeria Police Force and the Command from potential financial exposure of N200 million.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the command’s legal team for its professionalism, diligence and resilience throughout the proceedings.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting citizens’ rights and defending police personnel who act within the confines of the law.

The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, ANIPR, FFIS, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police on August 14, 2026.