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Braithwaite-Dosunmu Drags IGP To Court Over Police Brutality
Mrs. Ebun Braithwaite-Dosunmu, daughter of late elder statesman and nationalist, DrTunji Briathwaite, has dragged the Inspector-General of Police before the Lagos High Court.
She is seeking damages for molestation, torture, harassment and unlawful arrest and detention.
The suit was filed yesterday, June 6, 2019, on her behalf by legal luminary and human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.
In the suit, Mrs Braithwaite-Dosunmu is seeking a declaration that her arrest and detention at the Bar Beach police station on May 24, 2019, are illegal and unconstitutional.
She is also asking the court to declare that the acts of the policemen in alleged beating, punching and molesting her in an attempt to forcefully abduct her to Abuja, as constituting flagrant infringement of her fundamental rights.
She maintained that the police should not have been involved in a purely domestic family feud in respect of the running of their paper mill company, for which her brother, Mr Olumide Braithwaite, had allegedly instigated the police to harass and torture her, to the point of endangering her health, leading to her admission in the hospital for treatment.
In a 35 paragraph affidavit deposed in support of the suit, Mrs Braithwaite-Dosunmu stated in the court case that she was the managing director of the paper mill company that was acquired by their family with their late father, Dr Tunji Braithwaite and board resolutions were duly passed and contracts signed for the disposal of certain scraps and disused equipment owned by the company, for which she alleged that her brother was seeking kickbacks from the buyer. He would later author a petition to the police containing spurious and unfounded allegations against her, for which policemen from Abuja stormed her mother’s house to demand for her arrest.
It was at Bar Beach Police Station, in Lagos, whilst she was trying to reach her family and friends on her plight that one of the policemen held her hands backwards whilst the other one rained heavy punches on her face and body, molesting and torturing her in the process.
She is thus seeking five million naira damages and an order of injunction restraining the police from further torture and harassment.
Other reliefs being sought in the case are as follows:
A. A declaration that the arrest of the applicant on Friday the 24th day of May 2019 by the agents, servants, men and officers of the 1st-3rd respondents upon the instigation of the 4th respondent at Bar Beach Police Station, Lagos State, constitutes a flagrant violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights guaranteed under sections 34, 35 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Articles 4, 5, 6, 9, 12 and 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap. 10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and is therefore illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.
B. A declaration that the assault, torture and detention of the applicant by the agents, servants, men and officers of the 1st-3rd respondents on Friday the 24th day of May 2019 at Bar Beach Police Station upon the instigation of the 4th respondent constitutes a flagrant violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights guaranteed under sections 34, 35 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Articles 4, 5, 6, 9, 12 and 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap. 10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and are therefore illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene