Court Stops Police, DSS from Arresting SDP Spokesperson in Kogi

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice Hamza Muazu of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has stopped the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Unuoha from arresting, harassing or in any way intimidating the Spokesperson of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State, Mr. Faruk Adejoh-Audu.

Also restrained in the order issued by the High Court are the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Kogi State Director of DSS.

Justice Muazu issued the order while delivering ruling in an exparte application filed and argued by Adejoh-Audu’s lawyer, O. U. Salifu.

The restraining order against the security agents however, is to last pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The plaintiff/ applicant in a motion on notice for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights is alleging that his life has come under serious threat from the defendants.

Adejoh-Audu, a veteran journalist, activist, politician and SDP Spokesperson had gone to court after altercations between him and the Kogi State Police Commissioner, Unuoha, on election matters after which the later publicly threatened the spokesman to expect some unstated consequences.

The SDP spokesperson had on November 29, 2023, accused the Police Chief of collaborating with thugs to attack the interest of his party in the recently conducted governorship election in Kogi.

However, the Police Commissioner held a press conference the next day in Lokoja and gave Adejoh-Audu 24 hours ultimatum to substantiate his allegations or “be ready to face the consequences of his actions.”

The SDP spokesperson took up the challenge in a 17-paragraph reply justifying his allegations and accusing the Police Chief of resorting to self-help by threatening to ” visit unstated consequences” on him.

Meanwhile, the matter has been adjourned till December 18, 2023, for the hearing of the Motion on Notice.