A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered one Sunday Dominic to pay the Department of State Services (DSS) ₦5 million as punitive costs for filing what it described as a frivolous fundamental rights enforcement suit against the secret police.
Dominic, in a suit marked FCT/HC/CV/3984/2024, alleged that the DSS invited him for questioning and threatened to arrest him over suspected fraudulent activities — actions he claimed violated his fundamental rights to life, dignity, and personal liberty. He also sought ₦10 million in damages from the agency.
However, delivering judgment, Justice A. Y. Shafa ruled that the applicant failed to prove any infringement of his rights. After reviewing Dominic’s submissions alongside the DSS’s counter-affidavit, the judge held that the claims were baseless and lacking in merit.
Consequently, the court dismissed the suit and ordered the applicant to pay ₦5 million to the DSS as punitive costs.
Reacting to the judgment, a senior lawyer commended the ruling, saying it upholds the authority of security agencies to carry out their duties without undue interference.
“This decision reinforces the principle that security agencies must be allowed to perform their lawful responsibilities without fear of frivolous litigation,” he said.
“If investigators cannot invite suspects or witnesses for questioning, their capacity to safeguard national security and uphold the law would be severely weakened,” he added.
According to him, the verdict sends a strong signal to deter baseless lawsuits that could obstruct the operations of security institutions and undermine justice administration.
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