Arrest of judges: Court delivers judgment today

A Federal High Court in Abuja will today (Tuesday) deliver judgment in the suit challenging the arrest and detention of judges over alleged corruption. Justice Gabriel Kolawole fixed the date after he heard the arguments for and in support of the suit. Lagos lawyer, Olukayode Ogungbeji had filed the suit in October demanding the sum […]

A Federal High Court in Abuja will today (Tuesday) deliver judgment in the suit challenging the arrest and detention of judges over alleged corruption.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole fixed the date after he heard the arguments for and in support of the suit.

Lagos lawyer, Olukayode Ogungbeji had filed the suit in October demanding the sum of N50 billion in damages against President Muhammadu Buhari; DG SSS Mamman Daura, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN); the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the raid of the home of judges on October 8.

He is contending that the action of the DSS, without recourse to the NJC, constitutes a gross violation of the rights of the judges as enshrined in sections 33, 34, 35, 36, and 41 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

But in separate objections, the respondents asked the court to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction. The defendants contend that Ogungbeje did not disclose his locus standi to bring the action as provided in Section 6(6) (b) of the 1999 Constitution.