News

Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer sues DSS for alleged human rights violation

Published

3 years ago

September 6, 2021

admin

A lawyer to Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Maxwell Opara, has dragged the Department of State Services before the Federal High Court Abuja for allegedly violating his fundamental human right.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1018/2021, Opara is demanding compensation of N50 million for the infringement on his right to dignity of the human person.

Opara alleged that the DSS interfered with his right during his routine visit to his client who was being detained in the DSS facility.

Consequently, he prayed the court to compel the DSS and its Director-General to issue a written apology and publish same in two national daily newspapers.

Opara is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the DSS and its representatives from interfering with his right to dignity of the human person and freedom of movement during his routine visit to his client.

He is also praying for “a declaration that the Respondents whilst in the execution of their duties must respect the fundamental rights of citizens and accordingly abide by the provisions of Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the provisions of the Africa Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

READ Nnamdi Kanu pleads not guilty, to remain in DSS custody as trial adjourned till November 10

“A declaration that the actions of the men, operatives and officers under the command commission of the Respondents on the 30th of August, 2021 during the Applicant’s visit to see his client in their detention facility, wherefore they commandeered the Applicant to a particular room within their facility; for purposes of alleged bodily search, wherein they forced him to remove his medicated eye-glasses, wedding ring, belt, jacket and shoes and accordingly left him shabbily dressed, harassed, intimidated and humiliated, amounts to a gross violation of the Applicant’s right to dignity of human person as guaranteed under Sections 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Pe0ple Rights (Ratification and enforcement) Act Cap A9 Vol. 1 LFN.

“A declaration that the actions of the men, operatives and officers under the command/commission of the Respondents on the 30th of August, 2021 during the Applicant’s visit to see his client in their detention facility, wherefore they commandeered the Applicant to a particular room within their facility; for purposes of alleged bodily search, wherein they forcibly removed his belt, medicated eye-glasses, wedding ring, jacket and shoes, and subjected him to the humiliation of holding his trousers with his hands, wearing a bathroom slippers meant for awaiting trial inmates and exposed to Air Conditioner inflicted cold for 3 hours, amounts to a gross violation of the Applicant’s right to dignity of human person as guaranteed under Sections 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic_ of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and People Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9 Vol. 1 LFN.”

READ DSS releases 8 of 12 detained Sunday Igboho's aides

Also joined in the suit is the Director-General of the DSS.

However, no date has been assigned yet for the suit.

Up Next

BBNaija: Whitemoney, Liquorose win N1.5m each in Orijin contest

Don't Miss

Miyetti Allah slams Ortom, kicks against anti-open grazing laws

Click to comment

News

UPDATED: Kano court orders police to evict Bayero from Nassarawa palace

Published

2 hours ago

May 27, 2024

admin

A Kano state high court has restrained Aminu Bayero from parading himself as the Emir of Kano pending the determination of the suit.

The court also ordered the police to take over the Nassarawa palace, where Bayero has been staying since he returned to Kano on Saturday.

Amina Aliyu, the presiding judge, made the ruling on Monday following an ex parte application filed by Ibrahim Isa Wangida, the counsel to the applicants.

The applicants in the suit are the attorney-general of Kano, the speaker, and the Kano house of assembly.

Defendants are Aminu Ado Bayero, Nasiru Ado Bayero, Ibrahim Abubakar II, Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa, Aliyu Ibrahim Gaya, inspector-general of police (IGP), director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigerian Army.

The judge also restrained the dethroned four other emirs of the disbanded emirates from parading themselves as monarchs in Kano.

READ Air Peace to resume direct flights to Dubai

“That an order of this Hon. Court is hereby granted restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Defendants from parading themselves as Emirs of Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye in the interest of peace in Kano pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” the judge ruled.

“That an order is hereby made that 1st 5th Defendants be served through the office of the Commissioner Police, Kano State who is to ensure immediate implementation of the order of the Hon. Court in the interest of justice.”

The case was adjourned to June 11 for a hearing.

THE CONTROVERSY

Sanusi was reinstated as Emir on Friday by Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, at a colourful ceremony in the government house.

The Kano house of assembly repealed the law that Abdullahi Ganduje, the former governor of the state, used to depose and exile Sanusi in 2020.

READ BREAKING: At last, Kanu gets access to his specialist doctors

The repeal paved the way for the reinstatement of Sanusi and the dethronement of Aminu Bayero.

On May 23, a federal high court in Kano ordered the state government not to enforce the Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024.

Bayero returned to Kano from a trip to Ogun on Saturday and moved into a palace in Nassarawa LGA.

Abba Yusuf, the Kano governor, ordered Bayero’s arrest “for creating tension in the state”.

A detachment of soldiers has been keeping watch over the Nassarawa palace since the arrest order.

Subsequently, Usaini Gumel, commissioner of police in Kano, said security agencies would obey the court order on Sanusi’s reinstatement.

Amid the controversy, supporters of Bayero took to the streets to protest the dethronement.

News

BREAKING: Kano court orders police to evict Bayero from Emir’s palace

Published

2 hours ago

May 27, 2024

admin

A Kano state high court has restrained Aminu Bayero from parading himself as the Emir of Kano pending the determination of the suit.

The court also ordered the police to take over the Nasarawa palace where Bayero has been staying since he returned to Kano on Saturday.

More to follow…

READ Hijab ruling: Confusion as lawyer wears traditional religion's native doctor’s attire to Supreme Court (VIDEO)

News

Reinstatement of Sanusi done in best interest of state, says Kano government

Published

3 hours ago

May 27, 2024

admin

The Kano government says Muhammadu Sanusi was reinstated as the Emir of Kano in the best interest of the state.

In a statement on Monday, Baba Dantiye, Kano state commissioner for information, said some political elements are using false narratives to incite chaos in the state.

THE CONTROVERSY

Sanusi was reinstated as Emir on Friday by Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, at a colourful ceremony in the government house.

The Kano house of assembly repealed the law that Abdullahi Ganduje, the former governor of the state, used to depose and exile Sanusi in 2020.

The repeal paved the way for the reinstatement of Sanusi and the dethronement of Aminu Bayero as Emir of Kano.

On May 23, a federal high court in Kano ordered the state government not to enforce the Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024.

Despite his dethronement, Bayero returned to Kano on Saturday from a trip to Ogun and moved into a palace in Nassarawa LGA.

READ Uzodimma to FG, Military: Bring Simon Ekpa to Nigeria to sit at home with us

However, the governor ordered Bayero’s arrest “for creating tension in the state”.

A detachment of soldiers has been keeping watch over the Nassarawa palace since the arrest order.

Subsequently, Usaini Gumel, commissioner of police in Kano, said security agencies would obey the court order on Sanusi’s reinstatement.

Amid the controversy, supporters of Bayero took to the streets to protest his dethronement.

‘SOME POLITICAL ELEMENTS ARE DRIVEN BY SELFISH INTEREST’

Reacting to the development, Dantiye said media reports on the protest in the state were “grossly exaggerated”, adding that there was no widespread protest.

The commissioner said some hired thugs planned to destabilise the state amid the emirship for the “personal gain and selfish interest of their paymasters”.

“Contrary to media reports, there have been no widespread violent protests in Kano state,” the statement reads.

“While the government is aware of isolated incidents in few areas by a handful of small children and hired miscreants and thugs, these do not in any way reflect the overall situation.

READ Soludo begs FG to release Nnamdi Kanu, offers to stand as surety

“These hired unpatriotic individuals were only aiming to destabilize the state for the personal gain and selfish interests of their paymasters.

“The great majority of Kano state’s citizens have shown remarkable restraint and understanding of the sincere action of the state government.

“It also behoves to reiterate that the decision by the administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf to legally abrogate the emirates and reinstate the 14th Emir of Kano State was made after careful consideration of the best interests of the state.

“The move has been welcomed by a significant portion of the populace who understands and cherishes the long-term benefits of a unified emirate structure.”