Femi Fani-Kayode
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has dragged the Nigerian Police Force to the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging plot to infringe on his fundamental human rights.
In the suit he filed, Fani-Kayode prayed the court to quash and declare as illegal, a summon Police issued for him to appear at its headquarters to be interrogated over allegations bordering on conspiracy, criminal defamation, inciting publication, injurious falsehold and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, the Nigerian Police, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, were cited as respondents in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/917/ 2018.
The former minister also prayed the court to declare that the said letter of invitation by the police was unlawful, unjustifiable, illegal and unconstitutional.
He argued that the invitation which originally asked him to report to the Force Headquaters last Tuesday, was vague and ambigious.
The lawyer to the plaintiff, Kayode Ajulo, urged the court to declare that in accordance with the 1999 constitution, as amended, that he cannot be so invited by law enforcement agents for undisclosed reasons and without adequate notice.
He told the court that the invitation letter was so vaguely construed that “I became apprehensive and concerned about the intentions of the Nigerian Police and what my fate could be, should I visit the 1st and 2nd respondents office without filing this application”.
As stated by him, being aware that activities of the respondents could have negative impact on his freedom of movement, liberty and dignity, he decided to approach the court to enforce his fundamental rights.
He appealed to the court to stop the police from inflicting on him any form of unlawful arrest and detention.
Meanwhile, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba has ordered that all the relevant court processes be served on all the respondents to enable them to appear on September 13 for hearing.
The court made the order after it accepted that the matter be heard during vacation.
However, regardless of the suit, Fani-Kayode’s lawyer said he has prevailed on his client to honour the Police invitation on September 4, which is the rescheduled date.
In a letter dated August 31 and addressed to the IGP, Ajulo drew attention of the Police to the suit.
Though he acknowledged need for all the parties to avoid any action capable of overreaching the suit, the plaintiff’s lawyer confirmed the availability of his client.
“Nevertheless, as our firm’s practice and our client’s position is, being a nationalist, patriotic and responsible Nigerian, we hereby confirm that our client will honour your invitation as scheduled for September 4, 2018 by 12 noon”, read part of the letter with reference No: KACCL/OR/377/18.
In a 20-paragraphed affidavit that was personally testified to by the former Minister, he insisted that he would lose considerable goodwill, honour and prestige among his friends, neighbours, associates and Nigerians as a whole, “should the dreaded unlawful acts of the Respondents be implemented”.