Tina Amanda
A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has reserved judgment in a fundamental human rights suit filed by Akpobari Richard against the Nigerian Police and Pastor Felix Ifeanyi Akpotu of Grace Nation Liberation City, Eneka, Obio Akpor local government area of the state.
The presiding judge
, Justice Ngbor Abina, reserved judgment for Tuesday, December 20, 2022, after counsel to both parties adopted their written addresses and argued their applications.
In an interview with our correspondent, Isa Saidu, counsel to the applicant, stated that the case before the Court involves an infringement on religious freedom.
Saidu narrated that the defendant, Pastor Felix Ifeanyi Akpotu, had invited Akpobari and his girlfriend, who were about to get married, to his church, and when they were attending the church, Pastor Felix was alleged to have sexually harassed and sent nude videos, pictures, and unholy messages to Akpobari’s girlfriend.
On discovery, Akpobari confronted the pastor, and the matter became complicated, which took them to the office of the commissioner of police, where the parties were advised to be peaceful and law-abiding.
Pastor Felix, who was not convinced by the settlement, sent his driver and other hoodlums with the aid of police officers from Eneka Division to beat up Akpobari, leaving him in a life-threatening situation.
According to his lawyer, the applicant approached the court to enforce his fundamental human rights, believing that justice would be served.
Churchill Madume, counsel to the 1st defendant, Pastor Akpotu, and Queemsoap Romeo, counsel to the 2nd defendant, both confirmed that judgment on the case has been fixed for the next adjourned date following the adoption of their written addresses.
