Lagos-based lawyer Olukoya Ogungbeje has initiated a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Federal Government of Nigeria and several security agencies.
The legal action challenges an alleged attempt to obstruct a planned protest aimed at highlighting the country’s economic difficulties, scheduled to occur from August 1 to 10, 2024.
The Federal Government is named as the primary respondent in the suit. Other respondents include the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Security Service (DSS), and the Director General of the State Security Service.
Ogungbeje, representing himself and other Nigerian citizens intending to participate in peaceful protests for better governance, is invoking Sections 33, 36, 38, 39, 40, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, along with Order 1 and XI Rules 1 and 2 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
The hearing for the suit is fixed for July 31, 2024.
