Court Bars DSS, Police From Arresting Kogi SDP Candidate, Ajaka

A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained all security agencies in the country, from arresting or detaining Murtala Ajaka, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the forthcoming November governorship election in Kogi State.

The court also barred Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello and security agencies from harassing the SDP candidate.

Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order on Thursday following a fundamental right enforcement suit brought before it by the SDP candidate.

Ajaka, had in the suit filed through his team of lawyers led by Sunday Aruwa, sought protection from the court.

Insisting that his life was in danger, the SDP’s flag bearer prayed the court to enforce his fundamental rights to life, freedom of movement and expression, and the peaceful assembly among others.

He anchored the suit on Sections 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 3s, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended as well as on Articles 2, 3, 4. 5, 6, 7(1), 10(1), 11(1), 12(1), 13 and 14 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, CAP A9, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Ekwo held that he found merit in the ex-parte motion and affidavit of urgency that the applicant brought before the court.

He, therefore, issued an order, restraining the governor, all security agencies, their agents, and anybody acting through or under them from arresting, inviting, detaining or threatening Ajaka’s life and property pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The security agencies are also to provide maximum security to the applicant in Abuja, Kogi State and elsewhere in Nigeria immediately, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

While adjourning the matter to July 21, 2023 for hearing, Justice Ekwo also ordered the applicant to serve the respondents all the processes in the suit together with the order of the court.