The founder of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and leader of the Biafra Independence Movement (BIM), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has instituted a legal action against the Imo State Police Command over alleged infringement of his fundamental human rights.
In the suit filed at the High Court of Imo State, Owerri Judicial Division, through his counsel, M. O. Anyanwu Esq. of Fidel Deum Attorneys, Uwazuruike is seeking ₦100 million in general damages for the alleged violation of his rights to liberty, freedom of movement, and peaceful assembly as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The respondents in the suit are ACP Oladimeji Odeyiwa (Commander, Tiger Base, Owerri), ASP John Ebute, ASP Eze Jet, Inspector Alice Zakari, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Police Service Commission.
Uwazuruike is asking the court to declare that a police invitation dated October 16, 2025, summoning him to appear at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base) on October 20, 2025, constitutes a violation of his rights. He contends that the date coincides with a planned nationwide peaceful protest calling for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
He is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further harassing, inviting, or detaining him.
In an affidavit supporting his application, Uwazuruike stated that he had been living peacefully in Owerri and had never been invited by the police until after he publicly expressed support for the planned peaceful protest.
His counsel argued that the police action was an abuse of power and a breach of Uwazuruike’s constitutional rights, urging the court to grant all the reliefs sought.
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