By Ladidi Sabo
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday directed all security agencies in the country to “provide maximum security” to Murtala Ajaka, gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Making the order sequel to the prayers in a motion exparte dated 11 July 2023 and filed on the same day by Ajaka’s lawyers, led by S.E. Aruwa, SAN, Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the Chief of Defence Staff, the Army, Navy, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Police, to “provide maximum security to the Applicant in Abuja FCT, Kogi State and elsewhere in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”
The Kogi chapter of the SDP had accused Governor Yahaya Bello of plotting with some security chiefs to arrest or abduct its candidate in the State’s November 11 governorship election.
The party in a statement issued by Faruk Adejoh-Audu, the Director of Communications for the Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka Campaign Organization had alleged that the aim was to clamp the candidate into detention and possibly, to assassinate him.
Named as defendants in the fundamental rights enforcement suit marked —Suit No: FHC/AB3/CS/9 52/ 2023 are: Alhaji Yahaya Bello {Executive Governor Of Kogi State), Nigeria Police Force, The Inspector-General Of Police, the Commissioner Of Police (Kogi State Police Command), Department Of State Services, The Director-General Department Of State Services, The Director, Department Of State Service (Kogi State Command), Commandant-General Nigerian Security And Civil Defence Corps, The Chief Of Defence Staff, The Chief Of Army Staff and The Chief Of Navy Staff.
The Court in its ruling held:
“An Order is hereby made restraining the respondents, their agents, servants and anybody acting through or under the from arresting, inviting, detaining or threatening the Applicant’s life and property pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
“An Order is hereby made compelling the 2nd to 11th Respondents to immediately provide maximum security to the Applicant in Abuja FCT, Kogi State and elsewhere in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
“Applicant is hereby ordered to serve Respondents with all the processes in this suit together with the Oder of Court.”
The case has been adjourned to 21 July 2023 for hearing.
Ruling-in-SUIT-NO-FHCABJ-CS9522023 SUIT-NO-FHCABJ-CS9522023