Journalist and activist, Chido Onumah, on Wednesday filed a legal suit against the Department of State Services (DSS) over his arrest and detention on September 29.
Mr Onumah filed the suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja through his lawyer, Moses Ideh.
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He was arrested at the Abuja airport on September 29 on his return from Spain.
In the suit, Onumah, who is the Coordinator, African Centre for Media and Information Literacy, said his arrest and detention on September 29 from 5 pm to 10:30 pm without lawful cause and without court order constituted a violation of his fundamental human rights to dignity of his person, personal liberty, freedom of movement and freedom of expression.
He wants the court to grant him compensatory damages of N100 million for the violation of his fundamental human rights and exemplary damages of N50 million for setback, trauma, psychological and emotional distress experienced and still being experienced.
The journalist listed DSS Director-General, Yusuf Bichi, as first respondent and DSS as second respondent.
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However, DSS said it did not arrest him, but “rather engaged in an interaction during which an act of his capable of undermining public order and national security was explained to him.”
Onumah was wearing a shirt which bore the words “We are all Biafrans”, which is also the title of a book he authored.
