Lagos-based lawyer, Six others secures Dec 5, to stop IGP and Enugu Monarch from arresting and arraigning them in Court
Oru Leonard
A Lagos-based lawyer in Nigeria, Vincent Okafor, and six others have secured a court date to stop the Inspector General of Police and Enugu Monarch from arresting and arraigning them. The Federal High Court in Enugu has scheduled the hearing for December 5, 2024.
The plaintiffs, members of the Agunese Mmaku autonomous community in Enugu State, claim their fundamental human rights have been violated. Led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chukwuemeka Ofodile, they’re seeking protection from arrest, intimidation, and harassment.
Joined as the 1st to 18 defendants/ respondents respectively in the suit are the Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Police Force, Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), HRH Igwe Nevobasi and Mr. Onuselogu Nevobasi.
The remaining defendants/respondents are Mr. Jonathan Azubike Onuoha, Sir Laz Udeogboke, Oliver Chukwuobasi, Okekefi Iloham, Nnamdi Muodebe Okolo, Frederick Ngene, Patrick Ekweani, John Anugwa, Okonkwo Kenechukwu, Christian Chukwuemezie, James Chukwude and Ikechukwu Okpala.
Besides Okafor, the other plaintiffs are Chief Theophilus Chukwu, Mr. David Okeke, and Chiefs, Okeke Emmanuel Uwa, Ochie Moses Chuka, Okolie James Ikegwuonu and Simeon Ogbonna Okike.
The suit pending before Justice M.G. Mohammed of the Federal High Court Enugu, Court 1, commenced through a writ of summons and accompanying motion on notice.
Plaintiffs’ Demands:
– Interlocutory injunction to prevent arrest and arraignment
– Injunctive orders, declarative reliefs, and directive orders_
– Exemplary damages of N20 million against the IG, NPF, CP, and DG of DSS
– Damages of N100 billion jointly and severally against the 5th to 18th defendants
The court’s decision on December 5 will determine the fate of Okafor and the other plaintiffs.
