Activist drags IGP Adamu, INEC to court over restriction of movement during elections
- The inspector general of police, Abubakar Adamu, has been dragged to court by an activist, Chief Malcom Omirhobo
- Omirhobo, who also joined the Independent National Electoral Commission in the suit, dragged the duo to a Federal High Court in Lagos
- The activist wants the court to declare as unlawful, the restriction of vehicular and people’s movements during elections
- Omirhobo says it is a violation of the fundamental rights of the Nigerian public, to freedom of movement
An activist, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo, on Tuesday, February 19, urged a Federal High Court in Lagos to declare as unlawful, the restriction of vehicular and people’s movements during elections.
Omirhobo and his non-governmental group, Incorporated Trustees of Malcolm Omirhobo Foundation, are the first and second applicants in the suit.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the applicants are suing for themselves and on behalf of the Nigerian public.
Legit.ng gathers that the inspector general of police, Abubakar Adamu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, were joined as first and second respondents in the suit.
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In his originating motion, brought under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, the applicant is seeking a declaration that the restriction of movement of citizens nationwide, during the 2019 general elections, is a flagrant violation of citizens’ rights to freedom of movement.
He avers that it is a violation of the fundamental rights of the Nigerian public, to freedom of movement, freedom of association and freedom of expression as guaranteed by Sections 39, 40, 41, and 46 of the constitution.
He said it is therefore, illegal, unlawful, undemocratic and unconstitutional.
The applicant also seeks a declaration that the police have no power under the laws of Nigeria, to breach the fundamental rights of the Nigerian public to freedom of movement, association and expression nationwide as they are guaranteed by the constitution.
Omirhobo seeks a declaration that the restriction of movement during the election, is not a law and that there is no law in force which is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society to warrant a derogation of the rights of citizens.
The lawyer, therefore, seeks an order of court, restraining the first respondent, his servants, agents or privies, from enforcing or implementing the restriction of vehicular movement of the Nigerian public nationwide during the conduct of elections.
He also seeks an order for the enforcement of his fundamental rights and those of the Nigerian public, against the respondents.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the originating motion.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had deployed 90 percent of materials needed for the conduct of presidential and National Assembly elections.
The disclosure was made by a top official of the electoral commission.
The undisclosed source said that as at 4pm on Monday, February 18, the electoral commission had achieved over 90 percent success rate of deployment.
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Nigerians express disappointment with INEC over election postponement - on Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng