The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered substituted service on Commissioner of Police Uche Ifeanyi Henry, Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), after bailiffs were unable to serve him personally in a ₦100 million human rights enforcement case filed by Abuja-based TikToker Timothy Gabriel, popularly known as Tumma.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the order following an application by Dr. S.M. Oyeghe, counsel to the applicant, during proceedings in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/322/2025.
Court documents obtained by SaharaReporters reveal that the substituted service was ordered after several failed attempts by court officials to locate or serve CP Henry at his office on Mission Road, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja.
An affidavit of non-service filed by Ayuba Sule, a court bailiff, stated that he visited the NPF-NCCC headquarters on March 26, 2025, but the police chief refused to accept the court documents. Efforts to reach him by phone were also unsuccessful.
The suit stems from Tumma’s arrest and prolonged detention by operatives of the National Cybercrime Centre earlier this year — an act he claims violated his fundamental human rights.
The 27-year-old content creator is asking the court to declare his arrest, detention, and alleged inhuman treatment since February 6, 2025, unconstitutional. He is seeking ₦100 million in general and exemplary damages for what he described as unlawful violations of his rights under Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
In his motion, Tumma also demands an order compelling the police to release him and to publicly acknowledge the alleged rights violations.
According to SaharaReporters, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and CP Uche Ifeanyi Henry are listed as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respondents, respectively.
Reports indicate that Tumma was arrested in early February 2025 and detained at the Cybercrime Centre in Abuja for over 57 days without formal charges.
The case is expected to resume soon as the court proceeds with the substituted service order to ensure all respondents are duly notified.
