Actions Taken
A journalist and founder of Glintnews Publications, David Chinwendu Ani, has sued the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Police Service Commission (PSC), the Enugu State Commissioner of Police and the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Enugu State Police Command at the Federal High Court in Enugu over an alleged plot to arest him without due process.
In the fundamental rights enforcement suit marked FHC/EN//2026 and filed through his legal team led by Maxwell K. Orah, Ani is asking the court to declare that the alleged attempt by officers of the Enugu State Police Command to arrest him without formally informing him of any offence or issuing an official invitation violates his constitutional rights.
The suit listed the Inspector-General of Police as the first respondent, followed by the Police Service Commission, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, and the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Enugu State Police Command.
Ani sought several declarations and orders, including a pronouncement that, as a Nigerian citizen, he is entitled to the constitutional rights to life, dignity of the human person, personal liberty, freedom of movement, and fair hearing guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.
He also asked the court to declare that the alleged clandestine move by the third and fourth respondents to arrest him without first informing him of any alleged offence amounts to a violation of his constitutional rights
Among the reliefs sought, Ani wants the court to compel the Enugu Commissioner of Police and the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to issue him a formal invitation, where necessary, instead of attempting to arrest him.
He further requested an order directing the police authorities to disclose any offence for which he is allegedly being investigated or invited for questioning.
Ani also prayed the court for an injunction restraining the respondents from arresting him unless he is first served with an official invitation stating the allegations against him and allowing him to appear with a lawyer or trusted relatives.
He equally sought a declaration that any arrest carried out without giving him an opportunity to respond to the allegations through a formal invitation would violate his constitutional rights to fair hearing, dignity and freedom of movement.
Ani also asked the court to declare that the police owe Nigerians a duty to serve them with integrity and dignity.
He is demanding N10 million as damages for the alleged violation of his fundamental rights.
In the grounds supporting the application, the journalist alleged that the Commissioner of Police and the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit had been making "surreptitious" moves to arrest him without informing him of any offence or issuing a formal invitation.
He argued that the alleged actions had left him in fear for his liberty, freedom of movement, and the safety of himself and his family.
According to the suit, Ani maintained that he is entitled to a fair hearing before being treated as a criminal and insisted that the police should notify him in writing of any allegations against him before inviting him for questioning.
He further claimed that the court remained his last hope for the protection and enforcement of his constitutional rights, alleging that he feared for his life and accusing the police officers of acting outside their statutory and constitutional responsibilities.
In a public statement explaining why he approached the court, Ani alleged that officers attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Enugu State Police Command pursued, intimidated, and attempted to unlawfully abduct him without disclosing any offence he allegedly committed.
"There comes a time when every citizen must choose between living in fear and standing firmly for justice. I have chosen the path of justice," he said.
According to him, despite making repeated efforts over several months to ascertain why he had become a target of the police, he was never officially informed of any allegation against him, served with a lawful invitation or given any explanation for what he described as persistent threats to his liberty, freedom of movement and personal safety.
Ani further alleged that instead of complying with constitutional due process, the matter escalated with the arrest and detention of some of his associates.
"Rather than following the due process guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, these actions allegedly escalated to the unlawful arrest and detention of some of my associates," he stated.
“These developments heightened my concerns for my own safety and that of those around me.”
He maintained that the lawsuit was not intended as an attack on the Nigeria Police Force but was aimed at ensuring accountability and respect for the rule of law.
"This legal action is not motivated by revenge or hostility toward the Nigeria Police Force as an institution. I deeply respect the important role of law enforcement in maintaining peace, security, and public order.
“However, respect for the institution must go hand in hand with accountability. Every officer, regardless of rank or assignment, must operate within the boundaries of the Constitution and the rule of law," he said.
Ani argued that no Nigerian should be subjected to intimidation or arbitrary actions without being informed of any lawful allegation, stressing that constitutional safeguards exist to prevent abuse of power.
He said he has confidence in the Nigerian judiciary to determine the matter fairly and pledged to respect the ongoing judicial process by refraining from comments that could prejudice the proceedings.
"I have placed my confidence in the Nigerian judiciary, believing that the courts remain the proper forum for resolving disputes and safeguarding the fundamental rights of every citizen. I trust that justice will prevail through the legal process," he added.
Describing the case as one that transcends his personal interests, Ani said it was about reinforcing the principle that citizens should not live in fear of those entrusted with enforcing the law.
"This case is bigger than me. It is about reinforcing the principle that no citizen should live in fear of those entrusted with enforcing the law, and that constitutional rights must be respected at all times," he stated.
"Justice, accountability, and the rule of law are the foundation of every democratic society. I remain committed to pursuing justice through lawful and constitutional means.”
