“Niger Delta Youths Drag Tompolo, Tantita Security to Court Over Alleged Illegal Arrests, Demand N500bn Compensation”

Nine youths from the Niger Delta region have filed a lawsuit against former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, and his company, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, for alleged illegal arrests and detentions in Delta State.

The suit was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the plaintiffs seeking N500 billion in damages, claiming violations of their fundamental rights. The lawsuit includes Mr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP); Mr. Mathew Tonlagha; Mr. Godfrey Pondi; Mr. Keston Pondi; Mr. Simeon Bebenimibo; Mr. Joshua Macaiver; Mr. Komieyefa Uduboh; and Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), as respondents.

Additionally, the plaintiffs have named the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other entities as respondents. Led by Peter Zebulon, the plaintiffs allege they were unlawfully arrested and detained by operatives of Tantita Security Services, which they claim violated their fundamental right to life as guaranteed under Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution.

The lawsuit alleges the existence of an illegal detention center where individuals are held against their will and subjected to forced labor. The plaintiffs seek 17 declarations and orders from the court, including a ruling that their arrests and prolonged detentions constitute a breach of their constitutional rights.

They have also requested an order compelling the first to eleventh respondents, particularly Tompolo and Otuaro, to immediately release all individuals currently detained in what they describe as illegal facilities in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State. Among those allegedly being held is Charles Korubo, whose immediate release the plaintiffs are demanding. They also seek the release of Chief Priest Karowei Bala, who is reportedly detained in the same facility.

Furthermore, the plaintiffs are asking the court to issue an injunction preventing the first to eleventh respondents, especially Tompolo and Otuaro, from conducting further arrests or detentions that infringe upon their rights to life, dignity, personal liberty, and freedom of movement. They are also calling for an order to prevent the twelfth and thirteenth respondents, which include government agencies, from releasing funds to Tompolo and Otuaro under any purported Tantita Security projects or similar programs.

This case highlights growing concerns about the operations of Tantita Security Services, which has been involved in security surveillance and anti-oil theft activities in the Niger Delta. The plaintiffs maintain that their detentions were unlawful and that justice must be served. The Federal High Court is expected to hear the matter in the coming weeks.