This is the case of Sam(pseud), a 15-year-old secondary schoolboy who was illegally arrested, extorted, detained and assaulted by men of the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State after a raid was carried out.
On the 29th of June, 2021, young Sam was illegally picked up and pepper-sprayed in the eyes while on his way home with his 10-year-old brother who witnessed him being bundled into a vehicle.
The younger brother quickly ran home to inform their parents who visited the Police Station where Sam was being held, young Sam, unfortunately, passed the night in the cell where he was further assaulted by his fellow cell occupants.
After Gavel’s legal team received the complainant from Sam’s mother, we accompanied the complainant to the Police Station where they met the DPO and in reaction to the case, summoned all the officers involved.
Sam, however, could not recognize the officers involved due to the burning effect of the pepper spray while the illegal arrest was ongoing.
The DPO personally tendered an apology on behalf of his men and ordered the immediate refund of the extorted funds to Sam’s mother, the complainant.
Sam’s mother informed Gavel that all she wanted was an apology from the Nigeria Police Force and she expressed her gratitude to Gavel’s legal team for their timely and impactful intervention.
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