In a long-running legal battle over the sudden disappearance of a young man, Justice L.A.F. Oluyemi of the Lagos High Court in Ikeja is set to deliver a pivotal judgment on December 10, 2024, in a fundamental rights enforcement case filed by a traumatized couple, Mr. Steven Amos and his wife, Doris.
The couple is seeking justice for their son, Kingsley Amos, who vanished 14 years ago while in the custody of the Lagos State Government. The N1.06 billion lawsuit has drawn widespread attention due to the tragic circumstances surrounding Kingsley’s disappearance and the alleged misconduct of various state authorities.
The judge fixed the date for judgment after several delays caused by the failure of the respondents, including the Lagos State Government and other agencies, to appear in court to defend themselves. The couple, represented by their lawyer, Eze G. Alala, is seeking not only justice for their missing son but also damages for the trauma they have endured since his arrest and disappearance in 2010.
The plaintiffs, Mr. Steven Amos, Mrs. Doris Amos, and their son, Kingsley Amos, are the first, second, and third applicants respectively, in the suit marked ID/13107MFHR/22. They named the Lagos State Government, the Attorney General of Lagos State, the Lagos State Ministry of Youths and Social Development, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) as the first to fifth respondents.
Background to the Case
According to court documents, the incident began on January 11, 2010, when Kingsley Amos, who was suffering from a mental health condition and undergoing treatment, was unlawfully arrested by agents of the Lagos State Government outside his home at No. 40 Bashiru Street, Ojodu, Lagos. Kingsley, who was 30 years old at the time, was reportedly taken without his family’s knowledge or consent to Majidun Rehabilitation Centre. After days of searching, the family located him at the rehabilitation facility on January 14, 2010. The centre confirmed that Kingsley was in their custody and had been admitted for treatment.
For the next three months, the parents regularly visited Kingsley, provided food, and complied with the rehabilitation centre’s procedures. However, in April 2010, when they went to visit him, they were told by staff that Kingsley, along with several others, had been transferred to an undisclosed location following an order from the state government. Despite multiple inquiries and persistent efforts to locate their son, no further information was provided, and Kingsley has been missing ever since.
Legal Claims and Reliefs Sought
The couple, deeply traumatized by the loss of their son, filed the fundamental rights enforcement suit in March 2022, demanding accountability from the Lagos State Government and other agencies involved. They argued that the arrest, detention, and continued disappearance of Kingsley were gross violations of his fundamental human rights under the Nigerian Constitution.
Among the reliefs sought by the applicants are:
- An order directing the police and other respondents to disclose Kingsley’s whereabouts or, if he is deceased, to release his remains to the family.
- An order for his immediate release from detention, whether alive or dead.
- N1 billion in damages for the unlawful arrest, detention, and alleged torture of Kingsley Amos.
- N50 million in exemplary damages for the unlawful arrest and detention, and for the mental, emotional, and psychological distress caused to his parents.
- A public apology from the respondents to be published in national newspapers.
- 21% interest on the judgment sum from the date of Kingsley’s detention until the final payment, as well as N10 million in costs for the lawsuit.
Allegations Against the State
The plaintiffs’ case is built on the claim that Kingsley’s detention, disappearance, and alleged mistreatment by state authorities were not only unlawful but part of a broader failure to respect basic human rights.
Their lawyer, Eze G. Alala, explained that despite repeated efforts to locate Kingsley, the Lagos State Government and its agencies have refused to provide any information or take responsibility for his whereabouts. Alala also accused the respondents of negligence and wilful misconduct, asserting that their actions have compounded the couple’s suffering over the last 14 years.
According to the applicants, Kingsley’s arrest and the subsequent silence from authorities have subjected them to immense mental and psychological torture. They maintain that despite assurances of their son’s safety during his time at the rehabilitation centre, the sudden and unexplained transfer has left them without answers or closure.
Proceedings and Absence of Respondents
Since the case was filed in court, the respondents have failed to appear or defend themselves, prompting the judge to adjourn the matter multiple times. The absence of the Lagos State Government, the police, and other named parties has raised concerns about accountability and transparency in handling such sensitive cases involving state authorities.
The case is expected to set a significant precedent on the rights of detainees and the responsibilities of state agencies in ensuring the safety and well-being of those in their custody. As the December 10 judgment date approaches, the couple remains hopeful that the court will deliver justice for their missing son, whose fate has remained uncertain for more than a decade.
The final judgment in this case will be closely watched by human rights advocates, legal experts, and the wider public, as it touches on critical issues of unlawful detention, state accountability, and the rights of individuals with mental health conditions.
