The Secretary of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Interim Management Committee (IMC), Abubakar Mohammed, has instituted a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, against top security agencies and several key stakeholders.
Court documents sighted indicate that the suit, filed pursuant to Sections 34(1), 35(1), and 46 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), seeks protection of the applicant’s fundamental human rights.
Listed as respondents in the suit are the Inspector-General of Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the National Security Adviser.
Also joined in the suit are Ahmed Abubakar; Hon. Ohinoyi Shaibu Shaban; Hon. Ezenwa Chukwudi Fred; Dr. Abass Waziri; Hon. Shuaibu Abdullahi Maje; Hon. Bello Lawal; Barr. Uchenna Obinna Eden; and Malik Itiako Ikpokpo.In the originating motion, Mohammed is seeking a declaration that, as a citizen of Nigeria, he is entitled to the enjoyment, protection, and enforcement of his fundamental rights as guaranteed under the Constitution.
The applicant is further requesting the court to declare that any attempt by the respondents to influence, initiate, or order his arrest and detention over issues he described as civil matters constitutes a violation of his constitutional rights.
Mohammed also alleged that repeated threats of arrest and intimidation by some of the respondents have created fear for his safety and personal liberty.
He is therefore seeking an order restraining the respondents, their agents, or associates from further harassment, intimidation, or attempts to orchestrate his arrest over matters he maintains are civil in nature.The applicant is also asking the court to award the costs of the suit and grant any additional reliefs the court may deem appropriate.
The case is expected to test the boundaries between civil disputes and criminal enforcement actions, particularly within the context of internal disagreements involving ALGON’s Interim Management Committee.
As of the time of filing this report, the respondents had yet to issue official responses to the allegations.
The matter is expected to come up for hearing on a date to be fixed by the court.
