(SINL NIGERIA) A member of the Islamic Movement, Lawan Garba Haruna, has filed a N200 million suit against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over alleged disruption of his birthday programme in Abuja
Haruna, in the suit marked: FHC)ABJ/CS/1909/2024 filed by his lawyer, Bala Dakum, also joined the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as 2nd to 3rd respondents respectively.
In the originating motion dated and filed on December 18, the applicant sought five reliefs.
He sought a declaration that the disruption of the birthday celebration organised by him at Decency Events Centre, Wuse Zone 5 in Abuja on October 13, 2024 and treatment meted on him by the agents of the 1st and 2nd respondents, their privies, officers or representatives, was illegal, unlawful, null and void and amounted to gross violation of his fundamental rights as enshrined in Sections 34 (1)(a)and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He, therefore, sought “an order directing the respondents to jointly and severally refund the sum of N600,000 00 (Six Hundred Thousand Naira) to the applicant being the money the applicant paid for the use of Decency Corp Events Centre, Wuse Zone 5 FCT, Abuja on 13th October, 2024.
“An order of this honourable court directing the respondents to jointly and severally pay the applicant the sum of N200, 000, 000 (Two Hundred Million Naira) only as general damages for unlawful disruption of his birthday celebration and denying him the freedom to assemble
“An order of this honourable court directing the respondents to tender a formal apology to the applicant by publishing same in two national day newspapers.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents their privies, agents, officers or representatives from further harassing the applicant or depriving him the freedom to peacefully assemble and associate with other law abiding citizens of Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, Dr Sabi’u Adamu, who addressed the newsmen on behalf of the Islamic Movement under the leadership of his Eminence, Sayyid Ibraheem Yaqoub El-Zakzaky (H), said the suit is necessary because of the alleged violation of their rights by the police
He said that was not the first time the police had been disrupting their programmes.
“It is pertinent to inform the public that on Saturday, 14th of December, 2024, we have made all necessary preparations for the 9th Anniversary of the 2015 Zaria massacre to commemorate the incident at Highpoint Events and Conference Hall, Laralek House, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, and the conference is scheduled to commence by 9:30 am.
“But since before 7:00 am, the police of the FCT Command and the Secret Police (DSS) barricaded the event centre and started arresting participants of the conference.
“The conference could not take place at the centre, and up to this moment, the police continue to unlawfully detain those arrested around the event centre without any court order,” he alleged.
Adamu recalled that this was similar to the incident of October 13 where some of their youths gathered to organise a birthday at Wuse Zone 5.
“While the programme was going on, police arrived at the event centre and locked up the gate of the centre, arrested some participants, and disperse the gathering,” he said.
