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Prince Joseph Kpokpogri, the estranged lover of Tonto Dikeh, a controversial Nollywood actress, has taken the actress and the Department of State Services, DSS, to a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the enforcement of his fundamental rights.
In the case dated September 20th, 2021 and filed today with Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/1092/2021, the Plaintiff asked the court for a restraining order to prevent the DSS from inviting him any further.
Prince Kpokpogri, through his Lead Counsel Ovie Justice OJEFIA, Esq., is also asking the court for an order directing the Respondents to pay him N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) as compensation for mental trauma, emotional distress, and physical pain.
In the lawsuit, Kpokpogri requested “a statement that the invitation was sent to the applicant through a phone call and SMS on Thursday,
16. Gamal AbdelNasser Street, Off Julius Nyerere Crescent, Near Kapital Klub and Apartments, Asokoro, FCTAbuja under the supervision and control of 1 Naturally violates Sections 34, 35 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999 (as amended) and Articles 4, 5, 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Human Rights Laws (Ratification and Enforcement) Cap A9 , Laws of the Nigerian Federation of 2004 guaranteeing the applicant's fundamental rights to the dignity of the human person, personal freedom and freedom of movement and they are unjustified, illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.
“An order perpetually restraining the 1st Respondent (Director-General of DSS) acting either by himself or through his agents, officers and representatives from further inviting, pestering, harassing and intimidating the Applicant by way of telephone calls, text messages or letters asking the Applicant to report at FCT Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) with office at No. 7, Gamal Abdel-Nasser Street, Off Julius Nyerere Crescent, Near Kapital Klub and Apartments, Asokoro, FCT-Abuja or any other location whether within or outside the Federal Capital Territory Abuja in connection with an estranged romantic relationship between the Applicant and 2nd Respondent which the 1st Respondent knows is civil in nature.
The Plaintiff stated in his affidavit in support of the Originating Motion on Notice that he decided to rush to court to have his fundamental rights protected because they are being threatened.
“That I had a romantic relationship with Miss Tonto Dikeh, the 2nd Respondent herein, for approximately three months beginning on June 3, 2021 and ending on or about August 19, 2021.
”That the 2nd Respondent has made repeated oral threats against me, threatening to use all of her connections and contacts to bring me to naught simply because I separated from her.
”I am aware that the 2nd Respondent engaged certain strange heavily built men with dark shades who began tailing my movements around town shortly after August 19, 2021, when I ended the romantic relationship with the 2nd Respondent.
”I became concerned that the 2nd Respondent would carry out her threats, given her widespread popularity and connections in the Nigerian film industry.
”That was always material to our romantic relationship, the 2nd Respondent always requested, and I allowed her to use my Black Color Lexus SUV LX570 with Registration Number – ABJ 04 JN and Chasis Number – JTJHY7AZ7H4237876. EXHIBIT D contains copies of vehicle documentation.
”However upon my return from a trip to Asaba, Delta State on August 20, 2021, I discovered that the 2nd Respondent had forcibly taken my said Black Color Lexus SUV LX570 with Registration Number – ABJ 04 JN and Chasis Number – JTJHY7AZ7H4237876 to her residence being House 3A, No. 2, Ismaila Mamman Close, Katampe Extension, FCT-Abuja. EXHIBIT E contains a photograph of the vehicle.
”That all of my efforts to recover the said vehicle from the 2nd Respondent were futile because she gave a standing order to the security men at her residence not to allow me or my driver access to her residence to recover the vehicle.
”That during my birthday celebration which took place on 27th June, 2021 the 2nd Respondent voluntarily gifted me a Toyota Hilux in the presence of other persons without any papers whatsoever to support transfer of ownership from her to me.
”That because the 2nd Respondent failed, refused and or neglected to hand over necessary documents of the Toyota Hilux vehicle to me I requested her to come and take it back before our relationship turned sour but she gave a deaf ear.
”That I eventually handed over the Toyota Hilux vehicle to Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), Nigeria Police Force with office at Area 10, Garki, FCT-Abuja for onward delivery to the 2nd Respondent. Copy of picture showing the Toyota Hilux vehicle parked at the FCIID is attached as EXHIBIT F.
”That I was however surprised that one Edwin Esq. of FCT Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) with office at No. 7, Gamal Abdel-Nasser Street, Off Julius Nyerere Crescent, Near Kapital Klub and Apartments, Asokoro, FCT-Abuja being under the supervision and control of the 1st Respondent called me and sent a text message vide telephone number 09052460445 on Thursday, 16th September, 2021 inviting me in connection with my estranged relationship with the 2nd Respondent. Screenshot of the text message is attached as EXHIBIT G.
”That the 2nd Respondent caused Kanyi Daily to publicise untrue, fictitious and unsubstantiated story on the same Thursday, 16th September, 2021 vide Kanyi Daily against the person of the Applicant with the caption: “Tonto Dikeh’s Ex-lover, Prince Kpokpogri Arrested By DSS Over Blackmail And Extortion”. Copy of the online newspaper publication is attached as EXHIBIT H.
”That I verily believe that the said invitation by the 1st Respondent is likely targeted at violating my fundamental rights to dignity of human person, personal liberty and freedom of movement, hence my filing of this suit.
”Because I am aware that men and officers of the First Respondent have been following me by tracking my phone lines and will not give me a chance to exercise my fundamental rights as a free citizen of Nigeria as guaranteed by the laws.
”That the 2nd Respondent is hellbent on using men and officers of the 1st Respondent to invite, pester, harass, and intimidate me because she is a popular film actress and social media influencer with a large network of connections, contacts, and followership both within and outside Nigeria.
”It is on this basis that I have come before this Honourable Court to seek reprieve, refuge, and the enforcement of my fundamental rights.
”Which is why this Honourable Court is the common man's last hope, thus the need for it to compel the 2nd Respondent to tender an unqualified apology to me while awarding compensation in the sum of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) in my favor for the mental trauma, emotional stress, and severe damage I have suffered as a result of the issues giving rise to the this proceedings.