A Jigawa State High Court has ordered the immediate release of Mr Ja’o Sabo, who was held in custody for more than 10 years without trial, awarding him ₦10 million in damages and directing the authorities to issue a public apology.
Justice Ado Yusif Birnin-Kudu delivered the judgment on Tuesday at the High Court sitting in Birnin Kudu in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Sabo.
Sabo was arrested in 2014 over allegations of criminal conspiracy and armed robbery but remained in detention without his case being brought to trial.
Ruling, the court held that the prolonged detention amounted to a gross violation of Sabo’s constitutional rights. The judge ordered his immediate discharge from custody.
The court further directed the Attorney-General of Jigawa State, the Jigawa State Government and the Commissioner of Police to jointly pay ₦10 million as compensation for the unlawful detention.
In addition, the respondents were ordered to tender a public apology to Sabo, to be broadcast on major radio stations across Jigawa State.
Justice Birnin-Kudu said the detention violated Sabo’s rights under Sections 35, 36, 41 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The court also cited relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, including rights to personal liberty, fair trial and freedom of movement.
Reacting, Sabo’s counsel, Baffa Al’asan, described the judgment as a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s role in protecting citizens’ fundamental rights and enforcing constitutional safeguards.
Keywords: Jigawa court, unlawful detention, fundamental rights, ₦10m damages, public apology
