Court Restrains IGP, DSS From Apprehending Kogi SDP Spokesperson, Adejoh-Audu

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has barred the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS), and the Kogi State Director of DSS, as well as the State Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Unuoha, from arresting Faruk Adejoh-Audu, the Kogi State spokesperson of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

TopNaija understands that this restraining order will stay in place until the final resolution of a motion on notice in a case to uphold Adejoh-Audu’s basic human rights.

Adejoh-Audu, a seasoned journalist, activist, and politician, filed a lawsuit following an argument with Unuoha over election issues.

Following these incidents, Unuoha publicly threatened Adejoh-Audu, causing him to seek legal counsel due to purported serious threats to his life.

On November 29, 2023, the SDP Spokesperson accused the police chief of conspiring with criminals to harm the SDP’s interests in the recent gubernatorial election in Kogi.

In response, the police commissioner called a news conference in Lokoja the next day and gave Adejoh-Audu a 24-hour deadline to show proof to back up his charges or face the repercussions of his conduct.

The SDP representative justified his charges in a thorough 17-paragraph paper.

After hearing O. U. Salifu, lawyer to the SDP spokesman, in an ex-parte application, an FCT High Court presided over by Justice Hamza Muazu granted the order restraining the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, and the State Director of DSS from arresting or interfering with the applicant’s liberty.

The hearing on the move on notice has been set for December 18, 2023, and the case has been postponed accordingly.