01 March 2014

Rights Enforcement: Court Adjourns Sanusi’s Suit To March 21

Following pleas from the respondents’ counsel for more time to “perfect their processes,” Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday adjourned hearing of the suit filed by the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Lamido Sanusi, seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights.
The suit in which the embattled CBN governor is seeking an order restraining the police and officers of the State Security Service (SSS) from arresting, detaining or otherwise harassing him will now be entertained by the court on March 21, 2014.
The attorney general of the federation (AGF), inspector-general of police (IGP) and the SSS have been joined as first, second and thrid respondents in the suit filed on behalf of Sanusi by Prof. Yemi Osibanjo (SAN).
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Friday, Counsel to the AGF, Dr Oscar Nliam, holding the brief of Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), informed the court that his office had just been briefed on the matter.
Nliam also informed the court that his client is “yet to receive all the processes filed by the applicant” and, therefore, prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable him collate all the processes.
The lawyer, who represented the IGP, Chukwu Agwu, told the court that he was only notified “last night (Thursday)” that the suit will be coming up in court on Friday by his boss at the force headquarters.
The counsel also stated that the second respondent was yet to receive the processes and prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him go through the processes when they arrive.
Similarly, Counsel representing the SSS, Ahmed Musa, also aligned himself with the submissions of his colleagues, adding that an adjournment will be in their favour, especially as the parties are still within time of filing.
It will be recalled that last week Friday, Justice Buba, restrained the Federal Government, Police and the SSS from arresting Sanusi.
Buba granted the order after entertaining an ex parte application filed by the embattled CBN governor against the government and the security agencies.
Specifically, the judge restrained the respondents, their privies, agents, representatives or any other law enforcement agencies of the government of the federation from “violating, interfering with, or imposing any restriction on the enjoyment of the applicant’s right to personal liberty and freedom of movement pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

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