Dickson was standing trial with three others since 2015 on a six-count charge of conspiracy to commit a felony, robbery, armed robbery and rape. Justice Ntong convicted and sentenced two of the defendants, Nsikak Godwin to 20 years in prison and Christopher Sunday to 16 years in prison. The judge ordered that their jail terms run concurrently from June 22, 2015.
According to Justice Ntong, the evidence presented to the court showed that Dickson had no case to answer as there was no evidence linking him to the commission of the alleged offences. The judge noted that Dickson's life, a phone battery charger and recharge card seller in Ikot Ekpene, had been unjustly truncated by the police's shoddy investigation.
The court ordered the Akwa Ibom State Government, particularly the Attorney General of the State and the Director of Public Prosecutions, to supervise the activities of lawyers in the Attorney General’s Office and the Nigeria Police Force. The judge also ordered them to caution their officers to treat the civil populace with dignity and respect.
Justice Ntong emphasized that the police or the state prosecuting a person suspected of committing a crime ought to be diligent and sure of their facts before charging the person to court. He noted that if the state officials and officers of the Nigeria Police Force had done due diligence in their investigation, the ugly situation would have been duly averted.
Justice Ntong stated that the judgment was by virtue of his inherent powers pursuant to Section 6 (6) of the 1999 Constitution. He decried the situation whereby the accused was made to suffer unjustly, describing it as tantamount to the unjust treatment of an innocent citizen who had wasted his youthful years in prison for an offence he did not commit.
Dickson's lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, welcomed the judgment, describing it as a victory for justice and the rule of law. He called on the government to obey the court order and pay the compensation to Dickson promptly.
The case highlights the need for police officers and state officials to exercise caution in the discharge of their duties and respect the rights of citizens. It is hoped that the judgment will serve as a deterrent to the abuse of power and wrongful arrest and detention of citizens by law enforcement agencies.