ENUGU – The Court of Appeal in Enugu has upheld a High Court ruling that declared the arrest and detention of 12-year-old Stephen Egwuatu by the State Security Service (SSS) illegal. The appellate court also reaffirmed a ₦5 million fine against the agency for violating the boy’s fundamental rights.
Stephen was arrested on November 8, 2021, and released three days later. His case was championed by human rights lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who described the court’s decision as a major victory for justice.
The SSS had appealed the initial ruling, but on March 27, 2025, Justice Abdul-Azeez Waziri dismissed the case, declaring the agency’s appeal “unmeritorious.”
Ejiofor has vowed to ensure the enforcement of the judgment, emphasizing that no security agency should be above the law.
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