A Federal High Court in Abuja has reasserted its order, instructing the security agencies in the country to provide “maximum security” to Mr. Murtala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State.
Justice Inyang Ekwo reiterated the order at the beginning of the hearing in the suit filed by Ajaka against Governor Yahaya Bello and others. The court also prohibited the defendants from arresting or detaining Ajaka pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
Justice Ekwo cautioned all parties to avoid taking any actions that might prejudice the trial and requested their full cooperation during the proceedings. Consequently, the judge adjourned the hearing until September 21.
The suit was brought by Ajaka due to alleged threats to his life and the safety of his family. He accused the defendants of planning to arrest and prosecute him on allegations of involvement in terrorism activities in the state.
On July 11, Ajaka filed an ex-parte application seeking the court’s intervention to prevent the security agencies from taking any actions against him pending the hearing of the substantive suit. The court’s order mandated the security agencies to ensure the safety of the SDP candidate throughout the proceedings.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/952/2023, Ajaka named Governor Bello, the Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police (Kogi State), Department of State Service (DSS), Director-General of DSS, Director DSS (Kogi), Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and Chief of Naval Staff as the 1st to 11th respondents, respectively.
In the case, he sought an “order restraining the respondents, their agents, servants and anybody acting through or under them from arresting, inviting, detaining or threatening the applicant’s life and property pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
“An order compelling the 2nd – 11th respondents to immediately provide maximum security to the applicant in Abuja FCT, Kogi State and elsewhere in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”
