*Adjourns Until Nov. 28
JUSTICE Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, October 17, urged parties in the N2billion fundamental rights enforcement suit, filed by Lucky Okodeh, a former caretaker chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government of Bayelsa State, to sit down together to resolve the issue amicable, instead of wasting the tax payers’ money.
She subsequently adjourned the matter until November 28, this year, following an oral application by Okodeh’s Counsel, Asmau Yunusa, seeking some time to enable her respond to a counter-affidavit filed by Mimi Ayua, lawyer to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Okodeh, in the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/590/2024, dated and filed on May 3 by Femi Falana (SAN), had sued Musa and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, as 1st and 2nd respondents, accusing them of allegedly publishing his photograph among those declared wanted in connection to the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama in Delta State.
He prayed the court to award a N2billion in damages against the respondents for alleged violation of his rights to personal liberty and dignity.
Okodeh also prayed the court to set aside his declaration and award the fine as compensation for damages suffered over the action of the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
Upon resumed hearing on Thursday, Yunusa, who appeared for the applicant, told the court that the matter was slated for mention, adding that she was in receipt of a counter-affidavit by the 1st respondent (CDS) on Wednesday, October 16, and that she would need little time to respond.
She informed the court that the 2nd respondent (Lagbaja) was not represented in court.
Justice Nyako ordered that the 2nd respondent be served with the hearing notice.
In the affidavit in support of the suit, Okodeh averred that the action of the defendants had affected his political career and made him to go into hiding.
Recall that on March 14, 17 officers of the Nigerian Army were murdered by unknown persons in Okuama community, causing the Defence Headquarters Abuja to declared eight persons wanted in connection with the killing.
Though Okodeh’s name was not published among those wanted, his photograph was posted on a name that was not his, which he said no member of his family or extended family bears.
Okodeh, who was the chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the April 11, local government elections in the state, was forced to drop out of the race and was substituted with another candidate, following the publication of his photograph in the wanted list.
Other prayers sought in the suit include an order of perpetual injunction restraining the CDS and COAS from arresting him, as he is a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria who had never had any criminal record right from childhood.
He also prayed the court to order the respondents to tender an apology, which should be published on both print and electronic media, so that he could have his freedom to live his normal life.
