Nigerian Sues Malaysia Government N406m For Unlawful Detention

A Nigerian, Simon Mamoh, has sued the Director-General, Malaysia Immigration Department, Khairul Daud and three others N406 million, for alleged unlawful detention and deportation.

Mamoh has alleged that the country’s immigration department illegally detained him for 40 days before ordering his deportation from Malaysia to Nigeria.

In the civil lawsuit filed in the High Court of Shah Alam on January 10, Mamoh listed the types of compensation that he is claiming, including RM2 million in general damages at a rate of RM50,000 for each day of his unlawful detention, from March 15, 2021, until his release on April 23, 2021.

According to a local Malaysian online platform, he is also seeking for RM1 million in damages for pain, suffering, emotional distress and mental anguish, exemplary damages totalling RM1 million, and special damages of RM3,925.31, all totalling about N406 million (current exchange rate).

Sued respondents

The four respondents sued are the Immigration Department’s director-general, the Malaysia Prison Department director-general, the home minister and the government of Malaysia.

The lawsuit is scheduled for case management at the High Court in Shah Alam on February 9.

The attempt to reach the Immigration department via email for comment is yet to get a response as of press time.

Punch/Olusola Akintonde