Court Of Appeal Orders NDLEA Not To Pay Baba Suwe N25M Compensation

The popular Yoruba actor was detained by the NDLEA for allegedly ingesting drugs.

The Court of Appeal in Lagos, Friday, quashed the N25 million damages awarded to popular actor, Babatunde Omidina, popularly known as Baba Suwe.

In a judgment by a three man judges’ panel, the court held that the award of N25 million to Mr. Omidina as damages for the violation of his fundamental human rights was “pervasive” and “wrong.”
“The detention was not up to a year, what then informs the award of N25 million?” Rita Pemu, who read the judgment, asked.

“There was simply no basis for that; he was held for nine days. There was no evidence to attract such punitive damages. The judgment is not proper and therefore set aside,” Mrs. Pemu added.
Mr. Omidina was, in October 2011, detained for 24 days by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on the suspicion of ingestion of illicit drugs.

In her judgment on November 24, 2011, Yetunde Idowu, the trial judge, ruled in favour of the actor and ordered the NDLEA to pay Mr. Omidina N25 million as compensation for keeping him in custody beyond the legal time limit on the suspicion of drug ingestion.

The judge also ordered the agency to tender a public apology to the actor in two national newspapers.
Mr. Omidina was arrested and detained on October 12 at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on his way to Paris.

After he had not excreted any hard drug for over a week, the NDLEA secured an order from the Federal High court in Lagos on October 21, 2011, to further detain the Mr. Omidina for 15 days.
The appellate court on Friday said that the detention of the actor cum comedian between October 12 and 21 “is not unreasonable.”
Mrs. Pemu held that the NDLEA was right in seeking an order from the federal high court for Mr. Omidina’s continued detention after a computed tomography (CT) and body scan revealed drug deposits in his system.
“Based on the results of the scan, the appellant’s (NDLEA) suspicion strengthened and the respondent (Mr. Omidina) was placed under more observation.
“The order of the federal high court absolves the appellant of any culpability in the violation of the respondent’s fundamental human rights,” Mrs. Pemu added.
Reacting to the judgment, Bamidele Aturu, Mr. Omidina’s lawyer, said that he disagreed with the principle used to arrive at the judgment and would appeal it at the Supreme Court.
After the 2011 Lagos High court judgment in favour of Mr. Omidina, the NDLEA had approached the appellate court challenging, among other things, the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
“Drugs and poisons are items under the Executive Legislative List in the 1999 Constitution and also subject to exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court by virtue of Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution.
“The judicial powers of the High Court of a State do not extend to the subject matter of litigation,” the anti-narcotics agency had stated.
The appellate court also agreed with the NDLEA that the federal high court has exclusive jurisdiction on matters involving drugs and poisons.

Blue Blood: Mourinho Returns To Chelsea

Jose is BACK! Mourinho signs four-year deal at Chelsea as ex-Real Madrid boss confirms return to Stamford Bridge

Bye;Bye Madrid: Jose Mourinho wave to Madrid fans after the last victory against Osasuna

He has signed a four-year contract to replace Rafa Benitez, marking his return to the side he left in 2007.
Ron Gourlay, Chelsea FC Chief Executive, said: "I am delighted to welcome Jose back to Chelsea. His continued success, drive and ambition made him the outstanding candidate.

During Benitez reign at Chelsea, club supporters insist they want Mourinho

"It is our aim to keep the club moving forward to achieve greater success in the future and Jose is our number one choice as we believe he is the right manager to do just that.
"He was and remains a hugely popular figure at the club and everyone here looks forward to working with him again."
He will be officially presented as the new Chelsea boss in a press conference at Stamford Bridge next Monday, almost a decade since he was first unveiled at the club.

The Portuguese manager parted ways with Spanish giants Real Madrid yesterday, after three years in which he won La Liga and the Copa Del Rey.

Before that, he took Inter Milan to Champions League glory and two Serie A titles between 2008 and 2010.

Blue Blood: Jose has always had an affection for Chelsea

The appointment comes after Jose Mourinho told Spanish television over the weekend that he expects to be appointed Chelsea manager by the end of this week.
His time in Spain was blighted by rows with the press and reported disputes with key players in his side.
In an interview with TV football show Punto Pelota, he said: "I'm going to London on Monday and at the end of the week I will be the manager of Chelsea.
"I feel the people there love me and in life you have to look for that.
"Life is beautiful and short and you must look for what you think is best for you."
Mourinho led Chelsea to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 before departing in 2007 after falling out with owner Roman Abramovich over transfer budgets.

Reacting to the news, former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins said: "Having lost from our game Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been absolutely unbelievably good, it is nice we have got another fantastic personality coming back.

"It is not only good for Chelsea, it is good for the Premier League as well."
Former player Ron Harris added: "I think 95% of the Chelsea supporters are pleased Jose is back.

"I feel that the supporters will be more than happy and I think it is a pat on the back for Roman Abramovich in bringing Jose Mourinho back to the club."

One fan tweeted: "I started supporting Chelsea because of the team Mourinho created and to see him return is so exciting. This is going to be big!"

The 50-year-old led Chelsea to a Premier League points tally record of 95 in the 2004/05 season, a feat that remains unsurpassed.

Since his departure the West London club has become characterised by a merry-go-round of managers, with the appointment of seven new names in just five years.