Businessman sues magistrate over N60mn transaction

Uju Madueke, a car dealer, has dragged Isah Imam, a magistrate at the Zuba Upper Area Court, before an Abuja Federal High Court over a failed N20 million deal and infringement on his fundamental human right.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/15/100/17, Madueke alleged that he bought two Toyota Hilux pickup and Land Cruiser valued at N60 million, with a down payment of N40 million, leaving an outstanding sum of N16 million.
Premised on the transaction, the parties entered into a written sale agreement upon which the delivery of the cars were taken, however, while Madueke was off on a business trip, his auto shop, Biggudd global motor limited, Abuja was besieged by armed men, who carted away not just the sold cars but also some more vehicles.
The applicant (Madueke), however, did make efforts to ascertain the reason for the forceful invasion of his shop and the carting away of eight vehicles, only to be told by the magistrate, Imam that he should be ready to forgo the vehicles for no reason.
Having moved the cars to an open field at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Madueke visited the Force CID upon his return from his trip. Unfortunately, he was arrested and detained for a period of four days even after explaining how he bought the vehicles from Imam.
In the suit instituted against Imam and others, Madueke is seeking for a declaration of the court to declare his arrest and detention as a breach on his constitutionally guaranteed right to personal liberty and freedom of movement, as enshrined in Sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 constitution.
Aside an order of injunction restraining the respondents from any form of threat, harassment, intimidation and threat to re arrest him, Madueke is seeking an order compelling and directing the respondents to release all the vehicles they went away with.
The vehicles include; one Prado (2012 model) valued at N15 million, one 4runner (2010 model) valued at N 15 million, one red camry Hilux (2013 model) valued at N6 million, five white Toyota Hilux (2012, 2008 and 2014 models) valued at N13million, N12 million, N18 million and N4 million.